VFL Wolfsburg crushed Bayer Leverkusen’s seven game unbeaten streak as Marin Pongračić’s two headed goals added to the five thriller.
The away side went ahead moments before half time, through an unlikely goal scorer, in the form of a Pongračić header. Just under 20 minutes into the second half, Wolfsburg doubled their lead through set-piece specialist Maximilian Arnold.
Leverkusen, trapped beneath the ice, were struggling to find a breakthrough. Oliver Glasner’s side soon went three ahead through Renato Steffen - another header.
As the game drew to a close Pongračić doubled his tally with a second header - the third of the game.
Peter Bosz’ side were lacklustre and fragile, however, Julian Baumgartlinger netted a late consolation goal for the home side.
An unlikely scorer
Wolfsburg posed an early threat in behind through Brazilian, winger turned striker, Joao Victor. Just moments past the ten minute mark and Leverkusen's Wendell was called into action, clearing a low driven cross from his Brazilian counterpart Victor.
The two sides went toe-to-toe and neither side could get a foothold in the game. Gridlock.
The end of the first half was looming, but Wolfsburg had just won a free-kick deep into the right flank.
Set-piece specialist Arnold was stood over the ball before he glided in a delightfully lofted cross finding the head of Pongračić.
The towering Croatian defender leapt above his marker before nodding the ball into the net.
Two in quick succession
Kai Havertz' wizardry and magic was yet to behold. Having been in red-hot form, the 20-year-old was struggling to follow in the same vein.
The second half proved to be a feisty affair. A game that looked like it would almost inevitably welcome Leverkusen back into the game. However, living up to their nickname, the Wolves, Wolfsburg smelt blood.
The visitors added to their lead in quick succession with two goals in three minutes from Arnold and Steffen. A low-driven free-kick from Arnold and a thundering header from Steffen.
Arnold showcased his quality and worth to Wolfsburg with his incredible ability to execute set pieces; whether it is shooting or crossing. Almost as if said technique runs in the name.
Running riot
As the clash progressed into the final stages of the game, the Wolves were still hungry and pushed for more scoring their fourth of the game.
It was déjà vu. Carbon copy. Control+C Control+V. Arnold, once again, delivered a tremendously whipped ball into the corridor of no mans land. Leverkusen's six-yard box.
Everything about the goal was a mirror of their first. Pongračić, the most unlikely of scorers, netted his second goal of the game, second of the season and third of his career.
The 22-year-old defender had not scored since 12th May 2017 netting against Bayern Munich II in the fourth tier of German football. Zero to hero.
Man of the Match
Having scored twice in such a monumental fixture it is hard not to award Pongračić VAVEL Man of the Match, however, Arnold put on a set-piece masterclass being directly involved in three out of the four goals. Arnold is VAVEL's Man of the Match.