The stage is set for a crucial Champions League Group Stage clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Salzburg. Both teams find themselves in a battle for survival, aiming to secure valuable points to keep their hopes of advancing to the next round alive.
Salzburg earns a corner kick in a last-ditch attempt to find a goal, but the chance goes begging.
There will be 2 minutes of added time. Bayer could still score a sixth goal.
Bayer keeps trying to score a sixth goal.
A Bayer corner is headed away by a home player, who meets the ball with a firm connection.
Bayer are still on the front foot, looking to extend their lead.
84' Tella's header flies inches wide of the upright.
The Bayer keeper makes a save to deny the Salzburg captain. It was one of the few times the visitors have tested the home side.
Salzburg's free kick is met by a commanding punch from the Bayer goalkeeper.
Bayer is pushing for a sixth, Salzburg is looking to react.
Both Bayer and Salzburg make substitutions with 20 minutes to go:
Alex Garcia's shot is parried by the keeper, but the rebound falls kindly for him and he taps it in
Salzburg are yet to find the back of the net. They're pressing hard in Leverkusen's half, but the defense is holding firm.
Bayer Leverkusen introduces three crucial changes to their team:
Having created several openings, Grimaldo takes aim, but his effort is thwarted by the keeper.
Wirtz had a golden opportunity to complete his hat-trick, but his shot just missed the target.
Schick scores the fourth goal for Leverkusen.
Yellow card for Salzburg's Yeo.
Nene aimed for a cross into the box, but a Bayer defender got a touch on it. They hurried to take a corner kick, but the rushed delivery led to a squandered opportunity.
Leverkusen were beginning to carve out opportunities in the Salzburg penalty area, but a timely interception from a defender and a subsequent clearance from the goalkeeper thwarted their efforts. Bayer, however, continued to press forward.
So close to a fourth! Leverkusen's Schick heads the ball, but it glances just wide of the post.
The Salzburg players are deep in their own half, trying to deny Bayer a fourth goal, as Leverkusen continue to press for a goal.
Within minutes of the restart, Leverkusen are pushing forward to increase their advantage.
The second half gets underway with changes to the lineup
The first half comes to an end with Leverkusen having dominated the play.
45'+4' A Salzburg handball following a corner kick results in a free kick for Leverkusen, which is deflected by the defensive wall.
45' With four minutes of added time, Bayer are pushing for a fourth goal before the break.
44-45' Following a saved shot, a cross is delivered into the box, presenting a chance for a fourth goal. However, Palacios heads the ball over the crossbar.
42' Following a series of attacks, Salzburg test the Bayer goalkeeper, but he gathers the ball confidently.
39' A crucial pass from Leverkusen inside the box is missed, denying the home side a fourth goal.
35' The Salzburg goalkeeper makes a good save to deny Frimpong's effort. Bayer Leverkusen are pushing for a fourth goal.
34' Salzburg push forward into Bayer territory, but the home side win the ball back, thwarting their attack.
32' Bayer had a great chance to score a fourth goal from the free kick, but their effort was headed clear.
30' Wirtz is on fire! He completes his brace with a fantastic goal to put Bayer in a commanding position.
25' Grimaldo comes agonizingly close to scoring the third goal, but the score remains the same.
27' Bayer continues to press in Salzburg's defensive third.
23' Leverkusen's opportunity to extend their lead is wasted.
19' Salzburg are putting pressure on the Leverkusen goal. A shot is blocked and the resulting corner will be taken by the visitors.
20' Salzburg take the corner but Bayer clear their lines.
17' Following the foul, Grimaldo's free kick is played into a teammate. Salzburg substitute Nene intercepts the pass and launches a swift counter-attack, but the Leverkusen defense smothers the danger.
12-15' Salzburg's Konaté is forced off injured and will be replaced by Nene.
10' Grimaldo's stunning free kick gives Bayer Leverkusen a comfortable 2-0 lead.
6' Wirtz gives Bayer Leverkusen the lead with a well-taken penalty.
5'-6' Bayer once again looked dangerous in attack. A shot struck an opponent's arm and the referee pointed to the spot. The VAR confirmed the penalty decision.
1-2' Bayer has an early shot on goal, but the Salzburg keeper makes a good save to concede a corner. The resulting corner kick fails to produce a goal.
0' The referee gets the match underway. Salzburg have the first attack.
With kickoff just moments away, the players line up on the pitch to listen to the national anthem.
Bayer Leverkusen and Salzburg are preparing to kick off their fifth Champions League group stage match.
Odds:
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