Late Grimaldo sting denies Newcastle win in BayArena thriller
Newcastle United were seconds from a statement Champions League victory before Alejandro Grimaldo late strike salvaged a 2-2 draw for Bayer Leverkusen in an open, end-to-end contest.
Newcastle United let victory slip through their fingers in Germany as Bayer Leverkusen struck late to secure a 2-2 draw in a pulsating Champions League clash at BayArena.
The hosts started brighter and took the lead inside 13 minutes when a corner caused chaos, Bruno Guimaraes accidentally diverting the ball into his own net while attempting to defend. Leverkusen controlled much of the first half, but Newcastle finished strongly, hinting at what was to come.
Eddie Howe side emerged transformed after the break. A nightmare moment for goalkeeper Mark Flekken handed the visitors a route back, with Anthony Gordon calmly converting a penalty to level the scores early in the second half.
Momentum swung fully Newcastle way and they completed the turnaround in the 74th minute. Gordon again played the key role, delivering a teasing cross that Lewis Miley attacked superbly, rising highest to guide a header beyond Flekken and silence the home crowd.
Newcastle pushed for a third and even struck the post through Gordon, but that missed chance proved costly. Leverkusen refused to fold and were rewarded two minutes from time when Alejandro Grimaldo ghosted into the box and finished coolly to rescue a point.
The result keeps Newcastle well placed in the upper half of the table, while Leverkusen remain outside the qualification places but very much alive. It was a night of fine margins, where Newcastle looked good value on the balance of chances, yet European football once again proved unforgiving to the unclinical.
