Bayer Leverkusen miss late penalty, settle for draw with Werder Bremen

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:47 am

Bremen goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald celebrates after saving a penalty to preserve his team's 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen.
Bremen goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald celebrates after saving a penalty to preserve his team's 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen.
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Bayer Leverkusen missed an injury-time penalty, had a man sent off and conceded a lucky equaliser in an eventful 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen.

Leverkusen had been on course for a regulation win thanks to Kevin Volland's seventh-minute finish, the striker heading home after Julian Brandt's thunderous 30-yard drive cannoned off the crossbar.

But everything changed as the game entered its last 11 minutes, none of it helping the home cause at the BayArena.

Zlatko Junozovic's curling free kick from the deep was poorly dealt with and, when it came free to Robert Bauer at the edge of the area he sent a powerful shot towards goal.

Claudio Pizarro, who had just regained his footing, moved into the ball's trajectory and unwittingly diverted past Bernd Leno.

Leverkusen then had full-back Wendell dismissed for a second yellow card only for Benjamin Henrichs to win a last-gasp spot-kick from Maximilian Eggestein.

Omer Toprak stepped up but was denied by Felix Wiedwald, who ensured the visitors a share of the spoils.