In a thrilling UEFA Europa League encounter on Thursday, November 9, Nigerian striker Victor Boniface played a decisive role, scoring a late penalty to propel Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-0 triumph over Qarabag at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, MySportDab Reports.
The tightly contested match saw both teams locked in a goalless draw until stoppage time when Boniface, who started the game, stepped up to convert a penalty awarded after Maksim Medvedev was deemed to have handled the ball.
The 1-0 victory secured maximum points for Bayer Leverkusen and solidified their position at the top of the German Bundesliga.
Despite Qarabag putting up a resilient defensive performance, Leverkusen dominated possession with a 69% share, showcasing their control of the game. The shot attempts remained even at 11 for each team, highlighting the competitiveness of the match.
This crucial win ensures Bayer Leverkusen’s progression to the knockout stage of the Europa League, maintaining their flawless record with four victories in the competition this season.
The German side’s stellar performance also reflects their standing as the current table-toppers in the Bundesliga.
For Nigerian international Victor Boniface, the late penalty goal marked his 11th for Bayer Leverkusen across all competitions.
Notably, Boniface finished as the top scorer in the Europa League last season with Royale Union Saint Gilloloise and has continued his goal-scoring form with four goals in the competition this season.
Qarabag, despite the defeat, holds second place in the group with six points. As Bayer Leverkusen celebrates their success in the Europa League, Boniface’s impactful performance once again underscores his goal-scoring prowess and contribution to the team’s triumph in European competition.
