Leverkusen beat Paderborn 4-2, Maza decided the match 120+2.

Despite conceding an equalizer in the 90th minute and trailing 1-2 at one point in extra time, Bayer Leverkusen still left Paderborn with a 4-2 victory in the second round of the German Cup, thanks to a goal from substitute Ibrahim Maza in the 120+2 minute and a decisive strike from Aleix Garcia in the 120+4 minute.

The drama was decided in the 120+2 minute.

Just when everyone was thinking about a penalty shootout, Maza's breakthrough from the bench turned the game around. His goal in the 120th minute plus two minutes put Leverkusen ahead 3-2 in injury time of the second half, a blow both in terms of the score and morale. Just two minutes later, Aleix Garcia sealed the comeback with a goal to make it 4-2.

With a breathtaking pace spanning 120 minutes, this was the kind of victory marked by sheer resilience: surviving a 90th-minute goal, being dealt a blow at the start of extra time, and then mounting a comeback at the end thanks to quality substitutions.

Key events: red card, opening penalty kick, and a dramatic turnaround.

The first half was evenly balanced and goalless. The turning point came in the 58th minute when Felix Gotze of Paderborn received a direct red card, leaving the home team playing with ten men. Just two minutes later, Alejandro Grimaldo scored a beautiful free-kick to open the scoring for Leverkusen in the 60th minute.

Paderborn staged a strong comeback despite being outnumbered. In the 90th minute, Stefano Marino headed in the equalizer, making it 1-1 and sending the game into extra time. The home team even took the lead again in the 96th minute through Sven Michel, putting Leverkusen in a chasing position.

Right in the first minute of injury time in the first extra time period (105+1), Jarell Quansah equalized 2-2, keeping the visitors' hopes alive before Maza and Garcia sealed the outcome in the final minutes of injury time.

Tactical and psychological aspects: having the advantage doesn't mean victory is easy.

The red card in the 58th minute gave Leverkusen a clear advantage in terms of space and pressing, which they immediately capitalized on with Grimaldo's set piece. However, the 90th-minute goal exposed a familiar challenge: maintaining their lead while facing an all-out attack from their opponents.

Paderborn, despite being down a man, still put up a fight with direct attacks and a fighting spirit, leading to a 2-1 lead at the start of extra time. Leverkusen's difference came from the bench: Maza – a substitute – appeared at the most crucial moment to score the 3-2 goal, before Garcia sealed the victory. Discipline in managing crucial moments ultimately led the visitors to victory.

Selective statistics and timeframes

• First half: balanced, no goals.
• 58th minute: Felix Gotze receives a direct red card.
• 60th minute: Alejandro Grimaldo scores the opening goal from a free kick, making it 0-1.
• 90th minute: Stefano Marino heads in the equalizer, making it 1-1.
• 96th minute: Sven Michel puts Paderborn 2-1 up.
• 105+1 minute: Jarell Quansah equalizes, making it 2-2.
• 120+2 minutes: Ibrahim Maza puts Leverkusen ahead 2-3.
• 120+4 minutes: Aleix Garcia seals the victory at 2-4.

Goalscorers' Table

Impact: A ticket to the next round and a reminder of mental resilience.

A 4-2 victory after extra time secured Leverkusen's place in the next round of the German Cup. This comeback away from home, under immense pressure, was a successful test of their ability to handle pressure and their tactical adjustments in crucial stages.

Final score: Paderborn 2-4 Bayer Leverkusen (after extra time).