Late Grimaldo Strike Denies Newcastle as Leverkusen Snatch Dramatic Champions League Draw
Newcastle United suffered more late heartbreak as Alex Grimaldo struck in the 88th minute to earn Bayer Leverkusen a dramatic Champions League draw.
Eddie Howe’s side came from behind after a Bruno Guimarães own goal in the 13th minute, showing impressive resilience in the second half. Anthony Gordon levelled from the penalty spot six minutes after the restart, before supplying the cross for 19-year-old Lewis Miley to nod in his first Champions League goal.
But Newcastle were denied all three points for the second straight week — having conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to Tottenham in the Premier League — when Grimaldo finished calmly after a slick Leverkusen move.
Newcastle were fortunate to trail by only one at half-time, but they seized momentum after the break. Their equaliser came courtesy of a huge error from Leverkusen goalkeeper Mark Flekken, whose sloppy attempt to play out from the back allowed Nick Woltemade to close him down. Flekken then clattered into the forward in panic, gifting Newcastle a penalty which Gordon dispatched coolly — his third in three games.
Gordon almost put Newcastle ahead moments later when his left-footed shot struck the post, before turning creator for Miley’s 74th-minute header — a goal that makes the teenager the youngest Champions League scorer in the club’s history, overtaking Hugo Viana’s 2002 record.
However, Newcastle couldn’t hold on. Grimaldo combined neatly with Ibrahim Maza before firing home, leaving the Magpies 12th in the standings, two points short of the top eight. Leverkusen sit 20th.
Newcastle analysis: Same problems, same frustration
This could have been a defining night for Newcastle’s hopes of reaching the last 16. At one point, they had climbed above Inter, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Atlético Madrid into sixth place in the live table.
But familiar issues resurfaced.
Once again, they were undone at a set piece — Leverkusen’s opener came when Andrich drifted away from Sandro Tonali to meet Aleix Garcia’s corner, the ball deflecting off Guimarães into the net. It follows last week’s late overhead-kick equaliser by Tottenham’s Cristian Romero from a corner, and Sunday’s penalty against Burnley after Jacob Ramsey handled during another dead-ball situation.
Still, Newcastle’s response was spirited, driven largely by the outstanding Gordon, who has already matched Alan Shearer’s club record of seven goal contributions in a single Champions League season after assisting Miley’s goal.
Yet another late lapse cost them, mirroring recent collapses against Spurs and a shaky finish against 10-man Burnley. To come through Sunday’s Wear–Tyne derby against Sunderland, Newcastle must lift themselves quickly — and stamp out these recurring defensive lapses.
What’s next?
Newcastle:
Away to rivals Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday, 14 December (14:00 GMT). Their next Champions League match is at home to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, 21 January (20:00).
Bayer Leverkusen:
Host Cologne in the Bundesliga on Saturday, 13 December (17:30 GMT), before travelling to face Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday, 20 January (20:00).