Bayer Leverkusen claimed the German Super Cup in a dramatic penalty shootout against Stuttgart, having needed a late equaliser to force the match to extra time.
The clash featured last season’s second and third-placed Bundesliga teams, with Leverkusen taking an early lead through Nigerian striker Victor Boniface.
Boniface scored at the back post after being set up by Edmond Tapsoba.
However, Stuttgart quickly responded, with young talent Enzo Millot equalizing just four minutes later.
Millot, who had recently featured in the Olympic final for Thierry Henry’s side, scored with a low shot from 12 yards out into the far right corner.
Leverkusen faced further challenges when Martin Terrier, making his debut for the team, was sent off just before halftime for a high and late challenge.
This reduced Leverkusen to 10 men and led to Boniface being replaced by defender Jonathan Tah.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the scores remained level at halftime, although Stuttgart were gaining momentum.
Last season, Leverkusen enjoyed an impressive run, remaining unbeaten in 51 games until they lost to Atalanta in the Europa League final, having won the German double.
But in their opening match of the 2024-25 season, they were on the brink of a surprise defeat at home against the Bundesliga runners-up.
Deniz Undav, who had been signed permanently from Brighton after a loan spell at Stuttgart, put the visitors ahead with his first touch after coming off the bench.
However, Patrik Schick scored from Alex Grimaldo’s through ball with two minutes remaining to level the score at 2-2 and force the match into penalties.
In the ensuing shootout, Stuttgart’s Frans Kratzig and Silas missed their spot-kicks, allowing Leverkusen to win 4-3.
This victory marks Leverkusen’s fifth major trophy in their history, adding to last season’s German league and cup titles, the 1993 German Cup, and the 1988 UEFA Cup.
This Super Cup was also notable as it was the first since 2011 not to feature Bayern Munich, who finished third in last season’s Bundesliga.
