Bayer Leverkusen defeated Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga match on Sunday, with the win coming from the penalty shootout after both teams had equalized.
In the first half, it was clear that Leverkusen would not be able to secure the victory against Mainz. The German side scored their first goal in the 26th minute through a penalty kick by Maximilian Wirtz, who made a diving save. However, Mainz's goalkeeper, Stefan Keppler, made a great save to keep the score at 1-1 after a corner kick.
After the break, Leverkusen showed their strength again as they scored three goals in the second half to take a commanding lead. In the 79th minute, Maxime Bessy scored his first goal for Leverkusen with a header off a corner kick. This was followed by a powerful strike from Maximilian Wirtz in the 88th minute that set up the winning goal for the visitors.
The performance of the players in this game was outstanding. Maximilian Wirtz was particularly impressive, scoring his first goal in the penalty shootout and providing two assists. He also played well throughout the match, managing to hold his own in midfield while providing support to teammates on the wing.
The penalty shootout ended with Leverkusen winning 4-3 after extra time. The victory gave Leverkusen a much-needed boost ahead of the upcoming matches in Europe.
Overall, the performance of the team was remarkable. It was evident that the players were ready to compete and push themselves hard to achieve their best. Their determination and commitment to each other will undoubtedly help them continue their success in the upcoming seasons.