Leverkusen held to 1-1 draw by Brest in Champions League thriller

Bayer Leverkusen were held to an exciting 1-1 draw by Brest in their Champions League clash on Wednesday, as Florian Wirtz’s opener was canceled out by a Pierre Lees-Melou volley.

Both teams entered the match with perfect records in the competition but now sit third and fourth in the table, each with seven points, with Brest ahead on goals scored.

Wirtz, 21, gave Leverkusen the lead in the 24th minute with a brilliant 20-yard finish, marking his third goal in three Champions League outings. He nearly added a second moments later but could only manage a weak shot after weaving past multiple defenders.

Brest responded six minutes before halftime when Lees-Melou fired a superb volley into the bottom corner, leveling the match. The second half saw both teams fighting for control, with Leverkusen denied a penalty after Jonas Hofmann’s cross struck a hand in the box.

Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso grew frustrated as VAR refused to grant another penalty late in the game after Hofmann was brought down. Wirtz missed a final opportunity in stoppage time, blazing over the bar as Leverkusen sought a winner.

Despite late pressure, both teams had to settle for a point in an evenly contested match.