Bayer Leverkusen pulled off a stunning three-goal comeback in 30 minutes
Bayer Leverkusen entered Saturday's match Augsburg needing a result to help push them back into the race for a Champions League place. But instead of playing with urgency, they looked asleep and Augsburg went out to a 3-0 lead.
The match was over, or so it seemed. Then Bayer threw things into hyperdrive and the last 30 minutes got pants on head crazy.
First, Karim Bellarabi got a goal back.
Karim Bellarabi fires a low effort past Hitz to cut Augsburg's lead to 3-1. https://t.co/rvdJf6KGdN
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 5, 2016
It's a nice goal and, at this point, it seemed more like an "aww, you guys are still trying, which is admirable. Good for you."
Bayer's effort was so touching that Augsburg decided to help them out a bit and put the ball into their own net.
Not over yet! Augsburg's Paul Verhaegh turns into his own net to make for an interesting finish vs Leverkusen. https://t.co/CKVvL8yLyn
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 5, 2016
Wait, what? We have a match now. Damn straight we have a match now and Bayer had Augsburg swamped for the final 10 minutes.
Then, a minute into stoppage time, Bayer had a sure equalizer cleared off the line. But it was with a hand! Bayer had done it, coming back from 3-0 down in 30 minutes.
Well, almost. Hakan Calhanoglu still had to make his penalty to finish things off.
FT: Augsburg 3, Leverkusen 3. Gouweleeuw gets a straight red, Calhanoglu ties it at the death in thrilling finish. https://t.co/CapMP21vBZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 5, 2016
Madness. The comeback was complete and Bayer Leverkusen are right there in the Champions League fight.
Let this be a lesson to us all: don't dismiss the possibility of anything mind-boggling happening in a Bayer Leverkusen match. Whether it's coming back from three goals down, blowing a three goal lead, unbelievable Calhanoglu free kicks or comical defending, no club in the world can do ridiculous quite like Bayer.
