Neverlusen - Victor Boniface escapes red card as Bayer Leverkusen snatch late draw at Dortmund

Victor Boniface received a red card before he was saved by the VAR. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Neverlusen - Victor Boniface escapes red card as Bayer Leverkusen snatch late draw at Dortmund

Izuchukwu Akawor 18:39 - 21.04.2024

Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen netted another late goal to earn a share of the spoils, with VAR saving Victor Boniface in a dramatic match against Borussia Dortmund.

Victor Boniface was at the centre of a dramatic finale as Bayer Leverkusen salvaged a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund to extend their remarkable unbeaten run to 45 matches across all competitions.

The Nigerian striker looked to have been given his marching orders in the 88th minute after being involved in a melee between the two sides, only for VAR to overturn the initial red card decision.

Boniface saved as Leverkusen survive

Dortmund had taken a deserved lead through Niclas Fullkrug's 81st-minute strike and looked destined to inflict Leverkusen's first defeat of the season.

However, the Bundesliga champions-elect refused to accept their fate, piling on the pressure in the closing stages as they went in search of a precious equalizer.

Victor Boniface came on as a sub against Dortmund.
Victor Boniface came on as a sub against Dortmund. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Xabi Alonso's men were denied by a stunning save from Dortmund goalkeeper Kobel, who clawed away Alejandro Grimaldo's fierce free-kick.

But there was to be no stopping Leverkusen's relentless pursuit of parity, as Josip Stanisic rose highest to power home a towering header deep into stoppage time and snatch a share of the spoils.

Dramatic scenes as Boniface gets his marching order.
Dramatic scenes as Boniface gets his marching order. (Photo Credit: Imago)

The dramatic finale capped another explosive chapter in Leverkusen's fairy-tale campaign, with Boniface playing a central role off the bench in the late controversy before witnessing his side's resilience shine through once again.

With their unbeaten record intact, the Nigerian hotshot and his teammates can now take a breather before turning their attention to the rest of the season as they look to take another step closer to an unprecedented treble.

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