Current:Home > NewsBayer Leverkusen wins its first Bundesliga title, ending Bayern Munich's 11-year reign -TradeGrid
Bayer Leverkusen wins its first Bundesliga title, ending Bayern Munich's 11-year reign
View
Date:2025-04-17 23:41:02
LEVERKUSEN, Germany — Undefeated Bayer Leverkusen secured its first Bundesliga title on Sunday with a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen, breaking an 11-year stranglehold on the league by Bayern Munich.
Xabi Alonso's team, who have now gone a league-record 29 matches without defeat this season to secure their first trophy since 1993, have a 16-point lead over Bayern with five matches remaining.
They can add more titles this season, having reached the German Cup final and the Europa League quarter-finals where they have a 2-0 first leg advantage over West Ham United.
Leverkusen left nothing to chance and sealed their title win at the first opportunity with Florian Wirtz bagging a hat-trick in a win that stretched their unbeaten run across all competitions to a remarkable 43 games this season.
"I cannot describe this," Germany international Wirtz said. "I personally can still not realise this has happened. I will need a few moments in the changing room to understand what we have achieved.
"We could not have imagined something like this when you see how the previous season went."
They earned a 24th minute penalty and Victor Boniface, who only recently came back after a three-month injury break, stepped up to score his first league goal since December and his 11th of the campaign.
There were more chances to double their lead in a one-sided first half, with Amine Adli also hitting the woodwork for the hosts.
Fans had been out in force from early morning across the city to prepare for the big moment, having queued for hours outside the stadium before the gates opened. Now they could barely stay in their seats with their team only 45 minutes away from the title.
Werder came out fighting after the break, trying to spoil the party, but Granit Xhaka's missile on the hour from 25 meters out sparked wild celebrations.
WELCOME TO LEAGUE ONE, WREXHAM: Wrexham celebrates promotion after commanding win
The hosts were not yet done with substitute Wirtz adding another goal eight minutes later.
The Germany international, gearing up for Euro 2024 on home soil in June, bagged another in the 83rd with impatient fans then briefly running onto the pitch.
He completed his hat-trick in the 90th to cap his team's five-star performance and secure the title in style as thousands of cheering Leverkusen supporters raced onto the pitch to celebrate their first trophy in 31 years.
"The team under coach Xabi Alonso played thrilling and champion-worthy football," German FA President Bernd Neuendorf said.
"They have not yet lost a game and left no doubt whatsoever about who would be at the top in the end."
veryGood! (15473)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Snoop Dogg opening ceremony highlights: Best moments from rapper's Paris commentary
- Climate Change Contributes to Shift in Lake Erie’s Harmful Algal Blooms
- Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Aniston, more celebs denounce JD Vance's 'cat ladies' remarks
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- LeBron James flag bearer: Full (sometimes controversial) history of Team USA Olympic honor
- Olympic medals today: What is the medal count at 2024 Paris Games on Friday?
- FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Rain could dampen excitement of Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Ranking
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- 2024 Paris Olympics: See the Athletes’ Most Emotional Moments
- Nebraska’s EV conundrum: Charging options can get you places, but future will require growth
- Three men — including ex-Marines — sentenced for involvement in plot to destroy power grid
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- French rail system crippled before start of Olympics: See where attacks occurred
- How many countries are participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics?
- Hope you aren’t afraid of clowns: See Spirit Halloween’s 2024 animatronic line
Recommendation
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
Skateboarder Jagger Eaton won bronze in Tokyo on broken ankle. Can he podium in Paris?
Belgium women's basketball guard Julie Allemand to miss 2024 Paris Olympics with injury
The Boyz' tour diary on second US tour, performing: 'It feels like a dream'
Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
Shop the Best Stanley Tumblers for Kids, Plus Back to School Water Bottles & Drinkware (That Are so Cute)
Olympics 2024: Lady Gaga Channels the Moulin Rouge With Jaw-Dropping Opening Ceremony Performance
Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams part of Olympic torch lighting in epic athlete Paris handoff