Bayer Leverkusen squeeze past Köln into Pokal semis | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen started strongly and Florian Wirtz floated a ball into Alejandro Grimaldo in the 18th minute which wasn't met by the Spaniard.

During the 30th minute, Grimaldo hit the bar for Bayer Leverkusen and in doing so he had Marvin Schwäbe well and truly beaten.

In added time of the first half, Köln's Damion Downs put the away side up 1-0 surprisingly following a breakaway goal as he slotted it in the bottom of the goal.

After half time, Leverkusen continued to dominate the ball and had over 75% of the possession.

During the 54th minute, Linton Maina doubled Köln's lead over the hosts as Damion Downs' neat touch and pass lead to another counter goal for the underdogs.

However, less than ten minutes later, Patrick Schick brought Leverkusen a goal back with a finish under Köln goalkeeper Schwäbe's legs.

In added time of the second half, Leverkusen had a corner which was cleared.

During the 97th minute, Patrick Schick broke Köln fans' hearts with a header just next to the six-yard box which beat Marvin Schwäbe to send the tie to extra-time.

After the restart, Leverkusen dominated the ball and played calmly with less urgency.

Coming on in normal time, Victor Boniface was cleverly positioned to slot home Grimaldo's cross to put the hosts 3-2 up in extra-time in the 98th minute.

Apart from a few more Jeremie Frimpong runs into the box, Leverkusen offered little more in the half due to tired legs.

The 110th minute gave the last notable action of the game in the form of a disallowed equaliser via Köln's new signing Imad Rondić.

After some deliberation, VAR decided he was narrowly ahead of Leverkusen's Hincapié.

The game therefore finished 3-2 to Bayer Leverkusen, despite the underdogs 1. FC Köln putting in a massive performance and a great effort.