Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface was involved in two goals in Bayer Leverkusen’s 5-1 win over Qarabag FK in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The 22-year-old striker scored the third goal for Die Werkself and provided their fifth goal as they cruised to a comfortable win at BayArena to record their third straight victory in the group and remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.
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40′ | 3-1 | #B04QAR | #Bayer04 #UEL #aCROSSeurope pic.twitter.com/rF2SlB4Gx8
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) October 26, 2023
German youngster Florian Wirtz opened the scoring for Xabi Alonso’s men very early in the game with a lovely finish, but Toral Bayramov drew Qarabag level in the 16th minute.
Alex Grimaldo shot Leverkusen back into the lead with a deft finish from inside the box after fantastic work from Wirtz, who got the first of his three assists in the game.
Boniface gave the home side a two-goal cushion in the 35th minute with a rocket finish from outside the box. The former Union Saint-Gilloise forward received the ball from Wirtz before letting off a thunderous right-footed striker from about 20 yards out into the top corner.
Wirtz completed his hat-trick of assists by providing the pass for Grimaldo’s second goal of the game nine minutes into the second half. The Spanish fullback strayed infield to receive the ball from the German before striking the ball past Russian goalkeeper Andrey Lunyov from outside the box.
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90+2′ | 5-1 | #B04QAR | #Bayer04 #UEL #aCROSSeurope pic.twitter.com/geeAR7kd5d
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) October 26, 2023
Burkina Faso defender Edmond Tapsoba scored Leverkusen’s fifth and final goal three minutes later, reacting quickest to tap the ball home from close range after Lunyov initially saved Boniface’s curling attempt.
Boniface got his second goal in Europe and his tenth in all competition this season as Leverkusen secured their seventh consecutive victory in what continues to be an extraordinary season for them.