Important success
Goal out of nowhere: Bayer happily wins in Lisbon
Updated on November 5, 2025 – 10:59 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Bayer Leverkusen clinched their first three-pointer in this year’s Champions League season. The Bundesliga team was very lucky in Lisbon.
Thanks to Patrik Schick, Bayer Leverkusen can celebrate their first win of this year’s Champions League season. The Czech headed the “Werkself” to a 1-0 win (0-0) in their away game at Benfica Lisbon on Wednesday evening. Schick scored the goal of the day after just over an hour (65th minute).
Bitter for Benfica: The home team actually dominated the game for the entire duration of the game, but couldn’t put the ball in the goal. Leverkusen now has five points after four match days and has a chance of progressing. The Portuguese once again suffered their fourth defeat in their fourth game and remain second to last in the table with zero points.
Benfica pushed Bayer into their own half from the start and missed the lead early on: the fast ex-Bundesliga professional Dodi Lukebakio ran towards Leverkusen goalkeeper Flekken from a tight angle after a long ball and hit the crossbar (11th).
Bayer then worked their way into the game better and better through more possession of the ball without really becoming dangerous. Alejandro Grimaldo, as usual, often moved from the left-wing position to the attacking midfield against his former club, but was initially unable to make any impact. That’s what the hosts did in front of the Bayer goal: Ex-Mainz player Leandro Barreiro got stuck with his shot and Lukebakio’s follow-up shot ended up in the arms of Flekken (26′).
And Benfica remained dangerous, Argentine world champion Nicolás Otamendi headed it onto the crossbar (33′). On the other side, Ernest Poku suddenly appeared in front of the goal after a beautiful pass, but missed miserably (36th) – the best chance for the German runner-up. A little later, Claudio Echeverri wasted a promising counterattack (39′). On the other side, Lukebakio once again missed the 1-0 lead in the duel with Flekken (43′).
Bayer also struggled at the start of the second half and Benfica pressed for the lead. The outstanding Flekken saved with his foot against Evangelos Pavlidis (47th). Bayer then took the lead out of nowhere: Grimaldo sent Schick strong, but the Czech was initially denied by Anatolij Trubin. Benfica’s Samuel Dahl headed the rebound back to Schick, who this time stayed cool. Bayer then defended their lead passionately.