Ibrahim Maza scored a brace as Leverkusen beat Heidenheim 6-0.
The 2005 Vietnamese-born star scored two goals in injury time of the first half and early in the second half, won 12 duels, was under pressure 19 times, and received a SofaScore of 10 in the 6-0 victory.
Bayer Leverkusen showcased their strength at BayArena with a 6-0 victory over Heidenheim in the 10th round of the Bundesliga, with Ibrahim Maza being the center of attention. The 2005-born player scored two goals – one in injury time of the first half and another just eight minutes after the start of the second half – and was awarded a perfect 10 by SofaScore.
A well-timed brace changed the tempo of the match.
Leverkusen dominated possession, but only truly exploded when Maza opened the scoring in injury time of the first half. That goal unleashed the pent-up pressure of the entire half. Immediately after the break, Maza continued to make the difference with an accurate finish at the beginning of the second half, closing out the eight-minute period that decided the outcome. From then on, the home team played more freely and extended their lead.
Tactical impact: despite enduring the most pressure, they still managed to break through defenses exceptionally well.
Beyond just finishing, Maza was a key player in Leverkusen's control and transition system. Statistics show he won 12 duels and was the player most pressured on the pitch with 19 instances. Despite this, Maza remained calm, achieving a 77% press-free rate, helping the home team maintain their attacking tempo and continuously re-establish pressure.
Maza's dynamism and creativity became the foundation for Leverkusen's dominant performance against Heidenheim. Unsurprisingly, he was voted Man of the Match, evidenced by his perfect score from SofaScore.
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Goal | 2 |
| Winning the dispute | 12 |
| The time I was pressured | 19 |
| Press exit rate | 77% |
| SofaScore | 10 |
Personal milestones: third start, first Bundesliga goal.
Notably, this was only Maza's third start for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga this season, after five appearances coming off the bench. His brace against Heidenheim also marked his first Bundesliga goals for the BayArena side, following his earlier German Cup strike against Paderborn.
Regarding his development, Maza was born on November 24, 2005, in Berlin to a Vietnamese mother and an Algerian father. He started at Reinickendorfer Fuchse in 2011 before joining the Hertha Berlin youth academy in 2018. Last summer, Maza moved to Leverkusen for a fee of 12 million Euros, becoming the most expensive player of Vietnamese origin in football history.
Main developments
Leverkusen dominated Heidenheim for 90 minutes at BayArena. Maza scored in first-half stoppage time, then doubled his tally just eight minutes into the second half. From those pivotal moments, Leverkusen accelerated and sealed the match with a 6-0 victory.
The emphatic victory not only boosted Leverkusen's morale but also marked a significant step in Maza's integration into the team. His maturity in handling situations under pressure and his ability to make a difference at crucial moments make him a reliable choice for tense matches.
