BERLIN, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Bayer Leverkusen secured a late 2-0 win over West Ham in their UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first-leg clash on Thursday, with goals from Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface sealing the victory.
From the outset, Leverkusen controlled the game, generating several chances as Amine Adli and Alejandro Grimaldo tested West Ham's goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in the early minutes.
Fabianski was central to the action, thwarting a dangerous attempt from Patrick Schick around the 30-minute mark, keeping the game scoreless at halftime despite Leverkusen's dominance and West Ham's defensive approach.
The second half started slower, with fewer opportunities for scoring until Schick's header in the 71st minute brought a save from Fabianski.
The breakthrough finally came in the 83rd minute when Hofmann volleyed in a rebound from the edge of the box, putting Leverkusen ahead and breaking West Ham's defensive stance. Near the end of the match, Hofmann delivered a cross that Boniface, returning from a four-month injury layoff, headed in to double Leverkusen's lead.
This victory extends Leverkusen's impressive unbeaten streak to 42 matches and positions them favorably for the second leg in London.
"We knew that West Ham was going to sit deep in their own territory and wait for counterattack opportunities. We had the patience, quality, and will to secure a win here today. Our second goal will surely help in the second leg," said Granit Xhaka.
Leverkusen will host Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and can clinch their first-ever Bundesliga title with a victory on Sunday before they travel to West Ham on Thursday. ■
