Bayer Leverkusen kept Champions League ambitions alive with a 6-3 comeback win over Wolfsburg, overturning a two-goal deficit in a dramatic Bundesliga contest. Alejandro Grimaldo led the response with two first-half goals, while Bayer Leverkusen’s late surge moved Kasper Hjulmand’s team to within two points of fourth-placed RB Leipzig.
The match featured three penalties, nine goals and constant shifts in momentum, yet Bayer Leverkusen finished strongly. A dominant attacking display, backed by impressive expected goals numbers, underlined why this result may become important in the final Champions League qualification picture.
In a game full of chaos, Grimaldo offered control and precision for Bayer Leverkusen. Grimaldo scored twice, including
a first-half penalty, and remained central to most attacks. The Spaniard created a team-high four chances and delivered 12 crosses. Only Exequiel Palacios attempted more passes in the final third, with 58 compared to Grimaldo’s 35.
Palacios also recorded 136 touches, ahead of Grimaldo’s 116, showing how much of Bayer Leverkusen’s play ran through that pair. Their involvement supported a sustained attacking effort that eventually wore down Wolfsburg, who struggled to contain repeated pressure after the break.
Hjulmand’s side produced 25 shots, with 11 on target, helping Bayer Leverkusen reach an expected goals figure of 4.25. Wolfsburg managed 11 attempts and an xG of 2.02. The home team’s numbers matched the final scoreline, highlighting why the hosts could feel their victory was deserved.
Bayer Leverkusen also ended an unwanted trend. The team won a Bundesliga home match after trailing at half-time for the first time since September 2024, which was also against Wolfsburg. Before this fixture, Bayer Leverkusen had failed to win any of the previous four such league games.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Wolfsburg: How the nine-goal thriller unfolded
Wolfsburg struck first after 16 minutes. Jonas Wind reacted quickest to a defensive header from Konstantinos Koulierakis and finished past Mark Flekken. Bayer Leverkusen answered on 30 minutes when Alejandro Grimaldo converted from the spot after Joakim Maehle bundled Ibrahim Maza over inside the box.
Maehle responded immediately, scoring just 61 seconds later. A first-time strike from kick-off flew beyond Flekken and restored Wolfsburg’s lead. The visitors moved 3-1 ahead seven minutes later. Edmond Tapsoba fouled Mohammed Amoura, and Christian Eriksen converted the resulting penalty from 12 yards.
Bayer Leverkusen pulled one back before the interval. Grimaldo collected the ball and drilled a low effort past Kamil Grabara to make it 3-2. The second half then turned in favour of the hosts as pressure increased and Wolfsburg struggled to clear their lines in key moments.
Martin Petersen awarded a third penalty eight minutes after the restart when Sael Kumbedi brought down Nathan Tella. Half-time substitute Patrik Schick sent Grabara the wrong way to equalise. Bayer Leverkusen finally went ahead in the 68th minute when Tapsoba stayed forward, reacted to a loose ball, and guided a low finish into the bottom-right corner.
Ibrahim Maza then levelled again for Bayer Leverkusen’s tally, squeezing a shot under Grabara after a pass from Palacios. Deep in added time, Ernest Poku embarked on a mazy run and squared the ball, allowing Malik Tillman to finish from close range in the 96th minute to complete the 6-3 scoreline.
Hard work pays off! Proud of your fighting spirit, boys! FT | 6-3 | #B04WOB pic.twitter.com/HN3GUsbwqZBayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) April 4, 2026
Bayer Leverkusen’s recovery against Wolfsburg combined resilience with sustained attacking threat, supported by strong underlying numbers. With Grimaldo influential again and several players contributing in the final third, Hjulmand’s side stayed close to RB Leipzig and strengthened the chase for a Champions League place in the final stretch of the Bundesliga season.
