Florian Wirtz netted a thrilling last-gasp winner from a penalty rebound in the 11th minute of added time as Bayer Leverkusen kicked off their Bundesliga title defence with a win against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Wirtz pounced to score after his spot-kick – given when Amine Adli was brought down in the area – was parried by Jonas Omlin.
It came after Leverkusen, who went undefeated en route to the league title last term, had squandered a two-goal cushion.
Their dramatic away victory follows Saturday’s German Super Cup triumph over Stuttgart on penalties.
In the Bundesliga curtain-raiser, Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen took the lead after just 12 minutes, with ex-Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka smashing a superb strike beyond Omlin.
They kept up their early push against the home side, with both Victor Boniface and Edmond Tapsoba hitting the frame of the goal.
Monchengladbach’s backline finally gave way again, as Wirtz made it 2-0 by slotting home after Alejandro Grimaldo’s shot was blocked.
The hosts thought they’d pulled one back before half-time, but Tim Kleindienst’s goal was chalked off by VAR for offside.
They did get on the scoresheet in the 59th minute when Nico Elvedi nodded past Lukas Hradecky after the Finnish keeper had parried his first attempt.
Monchengladbach seemed set for a draw as Kleindienst equalised in the 85th minute, tapping in Kevin Stoger’s pass. But Wirtz came to the rescue for Alonso’s team.
