Bayer Leverkusen Overpower Wolfsburg with Six Goals in Nine-Goal Spectacle

Following a mere one point earned from his initial two matches as manager, Dieter Hecking led his team to Leverkusen aiming to inject vital momentum into their battle to avoid relegation in the Bundesliga.

Jonas Wind provided the away team with an ideal opening, blasting a forceful left-footed effort beyond Mark Flekken following a display of robust physicality to shrug off Loic Bade.

The visitors delight swiftly shifted to irritation as the official controversially awarded a penalty, deeming Joakim Maehles challenge on Ibrahim Maza as foul play, which enabled Alex Grimaldo to confidently place the kick straight down the centre past the keeper.

Still smarting from the penalty call, Maehle harnessed his frustration to swiftly regain the lead for the away side, unleashing a fierce long-range drive that flew beyond the goalkeepers grasp after the home team mishandled Grabaras lengthy clearance from the restart.

Conditions deteriorated further for Kasper Hjulmands squad when Christian Eriksen deceived Flekken from the penalty spot following a review via video assistant referee, granting the kick due to Tapsobas poorly timed lunge at Mohamed Amoura.

Yet, right when Die Wolfe believed they had secured a two-goal advantage at the break, Grimaldo narrowed the gap with his second strike in a riveting opening half, rifling a low effort into the bottom near post to notch his third brace in the Bundesliga this term.

The late first-half attempt failed to discourage Hjulmand from making substitutions, as he brought on Patrik Schick, a move that bore fruit almost immediately after Sael Kumbedi collided with Nathan Tella inside the penalty area.

Rather than Grimaldo taking the third penalty of the match, Schick stepped up and held his nerve, waiting for Grabara to dive one way before slotting the ball the other.

As the advantage swung towards the hosts, Tapsoba seized control amid a chaotic scramble in the six-yard box, directing the bouncing ball against the far upright and in to give his side the lead for the first time.

Maza then sealed the victory, bending his finish past Grabara after Leverkusen exploited Wolfsburg with an effective set-piece from a corner.

Time remained for Malik Tillman to notch a sixth, heaping further woe on the 17th-placed Wolves, who linger three points from the relegation playoff place. The home team holds sixth spot, trailing the Champions League positions by four points.