Victor Boniface scores against West Ham to give Leverkusen firm grip on Europa League semi-final spot
Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker, Victor Okoh Boniface, came off the bench to change the game for Xabi Alonso’s side as they eased to a 2-0 victory over West Ham United, Soccernet.ng reports.
Going into the game tonight, Die Werkself were enjoying a 41-game unbeaten run and were high on confidence, still on course for three trophies this season.
Boniface started the game on the bench, with Alonso opting to start Patrik Schick up-front, paired alongside Amine Adli and Florian Wirtz.
Leverkusen were on the front foot for most of the first half, keeping Lukasz Fabianski busy whilst limiting West Ham to just one shot on goal.
The second half started on a less intense note for the Bundesliga League leaders, but the introduction of Nathan Tella, Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface marked a positive change in the intensity gear at the Bay Arena.
The deadlock was broken with seven minutes left on the clock. A corner kick taken by Alejandro Grimaldo fell to Boniface who took a first-time shot, only for his attempt to be blocked. The ball fell to Hofmann, who swung his left foot through the ball to score his 8th goal of the season.
Boniface added the second goal in the additional minutes of the game, heading home from a Jonas Hofmann corner-kick as the two substitutes combined for the second of the game. The Nigerian forward celebrated his first goal since December in style, imitating the signature goal celebration of Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus.
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WHAT A WIN! GET IN THERE! ⚫️
90+3′ | 2-0 | #B04WHU #Bayer04 #UEL #aCROSSeurope pic.twitter.com/g39RufKici
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) April 11, 2024
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be crowned Bundesliga Champions for the first time in history if they secure three points against Werder Bremen on Sunday.
