Boniface sets new personal record as Leverkusen, Holstein Kiel play out 4-goal Bundesliga thriller

Victor Boniface set a new personal record when he opened the scoring for Bayer Leverkusen in their 2-2 draw with Holstein Kiel on matchday six of the Bundesliga played at the BayArena on Saturday afternoon.

His fourth minute strike was the earliest goal he has scored in the Bundesliga, beating his previous best of nine minutes which he set during Leverkusen's 4-1 drubbing of 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 on September 24, 2023.

He started the build-up to the goal, collecting the ball in Bayer Leverkusen's defensive third and feeding it to Granit Xhaka, then the skipper found the run of Florian Wirtz, who weaved past the press, gave it to Exequiel Palacios and the Argentine forward sliced the ball to the Nigerian striker to smash it home.

Jonas Hofmann doubled the lead in the 8th minute, receiving a pass from Palacios after Holstein Keil goalkeeper Timon Weiner's pass was intercepted, and the Germany international smashed the ball into the net.

In the 27th minute, Boniface grabbed another goal, slotting the ball between the legs of Weiner, but his effort was ruled out for offside by the VAR.

Just before the end of the first half, the newly promoted side got a lifeline as Max Geschwill headed Lewis Holtby's corner past Lukas Hradecky.

They got the equalizer in the 69th minute, as Fiete Arp netted from the penalty spot after Jeremie Frimpong had hacked down Armin Gigović.

Boniface was brought off for Patrick Schick in the 70th minute, with Xabi Alonso needing to introduce some fresh legs to put his side back ahead, but the substitution couldn't change the score line as Bayer Leverkusen dropped points for the third time this season.

The 23-year-old has four goals in six Bundesliga games, two fewer than he had at this stage last term.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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