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LEVERKUSEN — Bayer Leverkusen staged a stunning late comeback to move into the Europa League final with a 2-2 draw at home against AS Roma on Thursday as they won 4-2 on aggregate and set the longest unbeaten run in all competitions including European matches.
Bundesliga champions Leverkusen, who have also reached this month's German Cup final as they chase a treble, played their 49th match without defeat to surpass Benfica's record set from 1963–65 but they had to battle for the second leg draw.
49 GAMES
Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen have the longest unbeaten streak in European football history pic.twitter.com/0W68BARtd8— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 9, 2024
⚫️ Bayer Leverkusen’s late goals this season.
⏰ 90+4 vs Bayern
⏰ 90+4 vs Qarabag
⏰ 90+4 vs Augsburg
⏰ 90+1 vs Leipzig
⏰ 90+1 vs Stuttgart
⏰ 90+2 vs Qarabag
⏰ 90+3 & 90+7 vs Qarabag
⏰ 90+1 vs Hoffenheim
⏰ 90+7 vs Dortmund
⏰ 90+7 vs Stuttgart
⏰ 90+7 vs AS Roma pic.twitter.com/91pRUMx9zb— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 9, 2024
Xabi Alonso's side, who have 40 wins in their unbeaten run, will face Italian side Atalanta in the May 22 final in Dublin.
It will be a third European final for Leverkusen, who won their only continental title when they lifted the UEFA Cup in 1988 and lost in the 2002 Champions League showpiece.
Roma knew they had a mountain to climb after losing the first leg 2-0 at home but they remained composed in an evenly contested match in which Leverkusen gradually seized control.
Leverkusen comeback vs Roma highlights
Leverkusen's Exequiel Palacios struck the post just before halftime, with the rebound deflecting off Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar's back, but Evan Ndicka cleared the danger.
Svilar then made another acrobatic save just before the break, denying Amine Adli and then blocking the rebound.
Despite Leverkusen's pressure Roma took the lead with a penalty from Leandro Paredes just before halftime after Jonathan Tah fouled Sardar Azmoun. Paredes scored with another spot kick in the 66th minute after Adam Hlozek handled.
Leandro Paredes cuts Bayer Leverkusen's lead in the tie in half
Game on pic.twitter.com/Y91Nkpa1o4— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2024
ROMA LEVEL THE TIE AGAINST BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Leverkusen's unbeaten streak is at risk... Again. pic.twitter.com/urTSz9rZ7b— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2024
With eight minutes remaining, a Leverkusen corner confused the visiting defense, including the until then excellent Svilar, leading to defender Gianluca Mancini inadvertently deflecting the ball into his own net at the far post.
Roma fans look away now
Bayer Leverkusen regain the lead in the tie pic.twitter.com/OupDAVLFfw— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2024
Late substitute Joseph Stanisic then secured Leverkusen's place in the record books deep into stoppage time with the equalizer after a skilful move into the box to delight the ecstatic home fansand leave battling Roma distraught.
BAYER LEVERLUSEN SAVE THEIR UNBEATEN STREAK AT THE DEATH pic.twitter.com/Ir09wRrfEc
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2024
49 GAMES UNBEATEN IN ALL COMPETITIONS ⚡
Bayer Leverkusen make history with the longest unbeaten run in European football pic.twitter.com/zWvkpBdtXh— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2024
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris)
