Bayer Leverkusen Secure Europa League Final Berth, Extend Unbeaten Run to Record-Breaking 49 Matches

Bayer Leverkusen defeated AS Roma 2-2 on Thursday, pulling off a thrilling late comeback to advance to the Europa League final. The outcome beats Benfica’s run from 1963 to 1965 to establish a new European record for the longest unbeaten streak.

The Bundesliga team, which is attempting to win a treble, will play Atalanta in the German Cup final on May 22 in Dublin. After placing second in the Champions League in 2002 and winning their sole continental championship, the UEFA Cup, in 1988, Leverkusen is playing in its third European final.

Granit Xhaka, the captain of Leverkusen, commended his team’s mindset, saying, “We are more than thrilled tonight…We take great pride in it.”

Even though Roma had to overcome a 2-0 first-leg disadvantage, they played a well-contested game and remained composed. Leandro Paredes’ penalty kick just before halftime stunned Leverkusen, and in the 66th, they scored another goal from a spot kick.

Still, Leverkusen’s unrelenting pressure proved effective. Gianluca Mancini, a Roma defender, scored an own goal after a late corner, and in stoppage time, replacement Joseph Stanisic completed the historic tie.

While praising his team’s effort, Roma manager Daniele De Rossi stated, “Leverkusen are a really strong team… they were incredible.”

This is Leverkusen’s eighth game-tying goal in the closing five minutes of play this season, a feat unmatched by any other top-5 European league team. Their late-game heroics continue.