Leverkusen 4-2 Paderborn: Ibrahim Maza decides the match in the 120+2 minute.
Leverkusen came from behind to beat Paderborn 4-2: Ibrahim Maza (19 years old, of Vietnamese origin) scored in the 120+2 minute, Garcia in the 120+4 minute; Paderborn received a red card in the 58th minute but led 2-1 in the 96th minute of extra time.
Leverkusen defeated Paderborn 4-2 after extra time to advance to the round of 16 of the German Cup (DFB-Pokal). 19-year-old Ibrahim Maza, of Vietnamese descent, became the hero with a decisive finish in the 120+2 minute, before Alejandro Garcia sealed the victory in the 120+4 minute with an empty net.
Moment 120+2: Maza shapes the ending.
The moment of greatest pressure was also when Maza exploded. In the 120+2 minute, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder controlled the ball neatly, turned, and unleashed a powerful shot, putting Leverkusen ahead 3-2. It wasn't just a goal that secured their place in the next round; it was also a statement from a young talent who had just been voted Man of the Match.
Paderborn played fairly, Leverkusen was left in a deadlock.
Second-division side Paderborn started aggressively, showing no fear against the rising team. Shots from Felix Gotze and Lucas Copado constantly threatened Leverkusen's goal. Despite superior ball control, the visitors were frustrated by the home team's disciplined defense; the most notable chance in the first half was Hofmann's volley that narrowly missed the crossbar.
Hjulmand's substitution and the turning point: the red card.
After the break, coach Kasper Hjulmand brought on Poku and Kofane, helping Leverkusen increase their tempo on the flanks and in the middle. In the 58th minute, Kofane was fouled by Gotze in a one-on-one situation, leaving Paderborn with only 10 men. From the resulting free kick, Grimaldo executed a precise curved shot, opening the scoring 1-0 in the 60th minute.
Dramatic extra time: trailing then coming back to win.
Paderborn didn't give up. They equalized 1-1 in the 90th minute, and just six minutes after extra time began (96'), Michel put the home team ahead 2-1. Leverkusen, teetering on the brink of elimination, showed their mettle in this crucial stage: Quansah equalized 2-2 in the 105+1 minute, opening the door for a comeback.
In the 120+2 minute, Maza coolly sealed the victory. In the final play, the Paderborn goalkeeper advanced in search of an equalizer, but Garcia punished him with a quick counter-attack, making it 4-2 in the 120+4 minute.
Tactical perspective: discipline, moments of brilliance, and the resilience of a 19-year-old.
Paderborn set up a tight defensive block, played fairly in challenges and launched quick counter-attacks, stifling Leverkusen's space at times. The turning point came from Hjulmand's substitution and the red card in the 58th minute, which allowed the visitors to stretch their opponent's defensive structure. Nevertheless, Paderborn's ability to transition effectively was still good enough for them to equalize and take the lead in extra time.
The match was ultimately decided by individual quality: Grimaldo's free kick, Quansah's positioning, and especially Maza's control, turn, and finish in the 120+2 minute.
The numbers are noteworthy.
- Score: Paderborn 2-4 Leverkusen (after extra time).
- Red card: Paderborn were reduced to ten men in the 58th minute (Gotze).
- Dramatic sequence: Paderborn equalized 1-1 in the 90th minute and took a 2-1 lead in the 96th minute before Leverkusen scored three goals in extra time (105+1, 120+2, 120+4).
- Man of the Match: Ibrahim Maza (19 years old, of Vietnamese origin).
- Leverkusen have advanced to the round of 16 of the German Cup.
Goals and yellow/red cards
Score a goal
| Team | Player | Minute | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leverkusen | Grimaldo | 60' | |
| Paderborn | Marino | 90' | (Obermair) |
| Paderborn | Michel | 96' | |
| Leverkusen | Quansah | 105+1' | |
| Leverkusen | Ibrahim Maza | 120+2' | |
| Leverkusen | Alejandro Garcia | 120+4' |
Red card
| Team | Player | Minute |
|---|---|---|
| Paderborn | Gotze | 58' |
Starting lineup
Paderborn:Schubert, Hansen, Gotze, Scheller, Curda, Baur, Engelns, Obermair, Copado, Bilbija, Worner.
Leverkusen:Flekken, Tapsoba, Bade, Belocian, Arthur, Andrich, Garcia, Grimaldo, Hofmann, Ben Seghir, Schick.
A brief profile of Ibrahim Maza
Ibrahim Maza was born in Germany to an Algerian father and a Vietnamese mother. He previously played for the German U18, U19, and U20 teams. His goal in the 120+2 minute of this match was Maza's first major achievement in the German Cup, solidifying his status as a symbol of Leverkusen's youthful energy.
