Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Bundesliga, with Karim Coulibaly scoring a late equalizer for the home side. Patrick Schick scored twice for Leverkusen, but Bremen fought back from a two-goal deficit and a red card to earn a point. Coulibaly became Bremen’s youngest-ever Bundesliga goalscorer, while Leverkusen extended their unbeaten away run to 35 matches.
Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen played out a stunning 3-3 draw in a captivating Bundesliga encounter, with Karim Coulibaly's dramatic 94th-minute equalizer sending the home fans into raptures. The match, filled with twists and turns, saw Bremen fight back from a two-goal deficit and a red card to snatch a point against the high-flying Leverkusen side.
The game started brightly for Leverkusen, as Patrick Schick, continued his impressive scoring run, found the net after just five minutes. Nathan Tella provided the assist, cutting the ball back for Schick to slot home from 12 yards. Leverkusen doubled their advantage in the 35th minute when Malik Tillman, on his debut, scored an unorthodox goal that squirmed past Bremen goalkeeper Mio Backhaus.
Werder Bremen managed to reduce the deficit just before halftime, thanks to a penalty. Axel Tape fouled Samuel Mbangula in the box, and Romano Schmid stepped up to confidently convert the spot-kick, giving Bremen a lifeline heading into the break.
The second half brought even more drama. Leverkusen seemed to be cruising towards their first Bundesliga win under their new manager, Erik ten Hag, when Niklas Stark was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Christian Konafe in the penalty area. Schick duly dispatched the resulting penalty, seemingly putting the game beyond Bremen's reach.
However, Werder Bremen, spurred on by their vociferous home support, refused to surrender. In the 76th minute, Isaac Schmidt capitalized on a defensive error, rounding the onrushing Mark Flekken to slot the ball into an empty net, igniting hope amongst the Bremen faithful.
The grand finale arrived in the dying moments of the match. Senne Lynen rattled the crossbar with a powerful shot, and seconds later, Coulibaly pounced, meeting the loose ball with a crisp volley that beat Flekken at his near post. The stadium erupted as Bremen completed an unlikely comeback to secure a draw.
Full time.
90+5 | 3-3 | #SVWB04 pic.twitter.com/dv0L0TG1i3
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) August 30, 2025
Data Debrief: Coulibaly Enters Bremen's History Books
Coulibaly's late heroics not only salvaged a point for Bremen but also wrote his name into the club's history. His goal saw Bremen's expected goals (xG) rise to 1.91, marginally better than Leverkusen's 1.87, underscoring the closely contested nature of the match.
At 18 years and 99 days, Coulibaly became Bremen's youngest-ever goalscorer in the Bundesliga, a record that will undoubtedly fill him with immense pride. Furthermore, Bremen's comeback marked the first time they had recovered from a two-goal deficit while playing with ten men in the top flight, showcasing their resilience and fighting spirit.
Despite the disappointing result, Leverkusen can take solace in extending their remarkable unbeaten run in Bundesliga away matches to 35 games (W23, D12), a testament to their consistency on the road. They also remain undefeated in their last nine matches against Bremen at the Weserstadion.
For Erik ten Hag, the wait for his first Bundesliga win continues. While his team showed glimpses of their potential, they ultimately failed to hold on to their lead, highlighting the need for greater defensive solidity and game management. The Bundesliga season is still young, and Ten Hag will be determined to learn from this setback and guide Leverkusen to greater heights.
The match will be remembered as a classic Bundesliga encounter, filled with drama, excitement, and late goals. Both teams displayed attacking intent and a never-say-die attitude, contributing to a thrilling spectacle for the fans. While Leverkusen will rue the missed opportunity to secure a win, Bremen will celebrate a hard-earned point that showcased their fighting spirit and resilience.