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Bayer Leverkusen won their first Bundesliga title and got there with five games to spare thanks to a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen.
Bayern Munich beat Cologne on Saturday to put Leverkusen’s title celebrations on hold for at least a day.
But there were scenes of jubilation for Xabi Alonso’s team when the final whistle blew at the BayArena on Sunday.
A Victor Boniface penalty in the 25th minute put Leverkusen on track before Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz scored impressive goals in quick succession.
Fans stormed the pitch midway through the match when star Wirtz scored the fourth in the 82nd minute, and again when he completed a hat-trick shortly after.
Leverkusen’s historic achievement ends an era of dominance for Bayern, which had won the last 11 Bundesliga titles.
Unbeaten in all competitions this season, Leverkusen remain on course for a remarkable treble in Alonso’s first full season in charge, with the German Cup and Europa League still in their sights.
Leverkusen get the job done in style
For weeks there has been a feeling of inevitability about Leverkusen’s victory in the Bundesliga.
The question was more “when” than “if” the club would get a first Meisterschale, the championship crest.
Before the start of the match there was an expectant atmosphere at the BayArena, where fans enthusiastically greeted the Leverkusen team bus with confetti and flares.
Werder goalkeeper Michael Zetterer stopped the premature celebrations when he prevented Piero Hincapie from tapping into Nathan Tella’s cross early on.
But the home crowd erupted when Boniface scored from the penalty spot after a video check by the assistant referee showed Julian Malatini hindering Jonas Hofmann in the penalty area.
Werder almost ruined Leverkusen’s party just before half-time, but Marvin Ducksch was unable to head home.
Xhaka’s superb strike from 25 yards on the hour mark put Alonso’s team firmly in control, before Wirtz beat the former Arsenal midfielder with his own long-range shot.
Play quickly resumed after fans returned to their seats following Wirtz’s second, but a sea of red and black shirts invaded the pitch again as the 20-year-old blasted home Leverkusen’s fifth, causing the referee will blow the final whistle.
Leverkusen were in the relegation zone when Alonso took over in October 2022.
Just 18 months later, they are Bundesliga champions.
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