Alexi García inspires Bayer Leverkusen to famous away victory against Cologne

Bayer Leverkusen secured a 2-1 Rhine derby victory away against Cologne in the Bundesliga. Aleix García opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a 20-meter curling free kick, and Patrik Schick doubled the lead in the 85th minute after an assist from Ibrahim Maza. Saïd El Mala pulled one back for Cologne in stoppage time off an assist from his brother Malek El Mala, but Leverkusen held on for the win.

The heated match featured numerous yellow cards across both halves amid intense clashes. Marvin Schwäbe kept Cologne competitive with multiple saves against Schick, while goalkeeper Mark Flekken denied early attempts from Linton Maina and Sebastian Sebulonsen. Head coach Carles Martínez guided Leverkusen to the victory following their previous defeat against Stuttgart.