Bayer Leverkusen 5-2 Nürnberg: Tapsoba Leads a Stunning Comeback

Bayer Leverkusen came from 2-0 down to beat FC Nürnberg 5-2 in the DFB-Pokal and book their place in the round of 16.

At the BayArena, Edmond Tapsoba sparked the comeback with two goals, while Lucas Vazquez crowned the win with a superb volley in the 89th minute. Yet the opening stages had pointed to a deeply disappointing night for Leverkusen.

Nürnberg, second in the 2. Bundesliga and coached by German football legend Miroslav Klose, raced into a 2-0 lead inside the first 30 minutes. The visitors stunned the BayArena with a neat finish from Rafael Lubach in the 13th minute, followed by a close-range strike from Sigurd Haugen at the end of a swift attack.

However, Leverkusen's new captain Tapsoba stepped up towards the end of the first half, heading in Aleix Garcia's corner to halve the deficit. The goal was also a sign of the outstanding second-half display to come.

Right after the restart, in the 49th minute, Tapsoba levelled the score, turning the ball home at the second attempt after the Nürnberg defence failed to clear another corner. Half-time substitute Patrik Schick then went down under a challenge from Alexis Kalogeropoulos, won a penalty and converted it himself to put Leverkusen ahead.

Jonas Hofmann doubled the lead in the 78th minute with a classy strike into the corner from outside the box, before former Real Madrid star Lucas Vazquez sealed the 5-2 scoreline with a magnificent volley in the 89th minute.

The 27-year-old Tapsoba, who joined the club as a young talent in 2020 and took over the captain's armband this season, left his mark on the match. The impressive centre-back attempted 4 shots, 3 of them on target, and in addition to his attacking contribution he also made the most clearances (2) for his side. In midfield, Aleix Garcia dictated play, creating 4 chances and recording 132 touches to rank among the most influential players on the pitch.

Leverkusen, who finished the match with 3.07 expected goals (xG) and 25 shots, earned a deserved victory, while Nürnberg lost a cup tie in which they had led at half-time for the first time since their match against Schalke in January 2011.