UEFA Champions League League Stage - 1

FC Copenhagen 2 - 2 FT Bayer Leverkusen

Parken Stadium

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
65
FT
Thu, Sep 18
FC Copenhagen
2-2
Bayer Leverkusen
⚡ Intensity 70
⚖️ Balance 62
🏆 Stakes 6
🎲 Upset 0
Copenhagen holds nerve in four-goal thriller

Copenhagen Survives Leverkusen Onslaught in Parken Masterclass

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 65/100. Four goals in 81 minutes transformed a tactical chess match into a Champions League spectacle that will haunt both sides for entirely different reasons.

Early Dominance Undone by Possession Paradox

FC Copenhagen struck with surgical precision at Parken, Jordan Larsson finishing a clinical ninth-minute move after E. Achouri's assist to stun Bayer Leverkusen. The hosts controlled the early narrative despite surrendering 64% possession—a masterclass in counter-attacking discipline. Dominik Kotarski's three saves kept Copenhagen's lead intact through a relentless first half, but Leverkusen's 15 total shots signalled the pressure was building.

The Collapse Nobody Saw Coming

The intensity shifted seismically in the final 13 minutes. Alejandro Grimaldo levelled in the 82nd minute, his finish clinical and devastating. Copenhagen appeared to have weathered the storm when Robert restored their lead in the 87th—but the cruelty of football struck in the 90th. A C. Echeverri cross found P. Hatzidiakos in the worst possible place, the own goal denying Copenhagen a vital three points in a match they dominated tactically.

The Unfinished Business

Copenhagen's 79% pass accuracy and 12 shots betrayed their control; Leverkusen's 89% precision masked an underlying fragility. The stakes couldn't be higher in Europe's premier competition—Copenhagen now sits third in the league phase with 15 points from seven matches, while Leverkusen's opening draw leaves them scrambling for momentum. This wasn't a defeat, but it tasted like one at Parken.

Key Questions

Why couldn't Copenhagen hold their lead?

Defensive lapses in the final 13 minutes and a catastrophic own goal in stoppage time undid their tactical dominance and possession discipline.

What does this draw mean for both teams?

Copenhagen's unbeaten run continues but points dropped; Leverkusen needs immediate improvement to avoid falling further behind in the league phase.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
36%
64%
FC Copenhagen 36%
Bayer Leverkusen 64%
Shots
12
15
FC Copenhagen 12
Bayer Leverkusen 15
Shots on Target
7
4
FC Copenhagen 7
Bayer Leverkusen 4
Expected Goals (xG)
1.89
1.21
FC Copenhagen 1.89
Bayer Leverkusen 1.21
Passes
364
647
FC Copenhagen 364
Bayer Leverkusen 647
Pass Accuracy
79%
89%
FC Copenhagen 79%
Bayer Leverkusen 89%
Corners
4
5
FC Copenhagen 4
Bayer Leverkusen 5
Fouls
14
13
FC Copenhagen 14
Bayer Leverkusen 13
Yellow Cards
3
2
FC Copenhagen 3
Bayer Leverkusen 2
Red Cards
0
0
FC Copenhagen 0
Bayer Leverkusen 0

Match Events

9' J. Larsson (E. Achouri)
33' 🟨 Marcos López
HT
E. Fernandez A. Garcia 🔄 51'
M. Tillman I. Maza 🔄 51'
53' 🟨 Thomas Delaney
55' 🔄 T. Delaney M. Madsen
Lucas Vázquez 🟨 62'
L. Bade C. Echeverri 🔄 67'
E. Ben Seghir E. Poku 🔄 67'
69' 🔄 Y. Moukoko V. Claesson
79' 🔄 E. Achouri Robert
79' 🔄 J. Larsson Y. Zague
A. Grimaldo 82'
87' Robert (R. Huescas)
R. Andrich C. M. Kofane 🔄 88'
Edmond Tapsoba 🟨 89'
P. Hatzidiakos (C. Echeverri) 90'
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

FC Copenhagen

Goalkeepers
D. Kotarski
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
R. Huescas
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
28%
Pass Acc
Gabriel Pereira
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
P. Hatzidiakos
CLUTCH HERO
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Own Goal
Impact
6
Rating
M. Lopez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
J. Larsson
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
L. Lerager
ENFORCER
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
6
Duels Won
100%
Win %
T. Delaney
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
55
Total Mins
55
Entry
E. Achouri
PROVIDER
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7.2
Rating
Forwards
Y. Moukoko
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
M. Elyounoussi
MAGNET
MAGNET
49
Activity
49
Activity
35
Passes
14
Duels
BENCH
R. A. Runarsson
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
O. Buur
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
M. Garananga
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Zague
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
B. Meling
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
V. Claesson
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Robert
CLUTCH HERO
CLUTCH HERO
87
Goal Time
87
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.3
Rating
M. Madsen
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
35
Total Mins
Started
Entry
W. Clem
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Bayer Leverkusen

Goalkeepers
M. Flekken
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
J. Quansah
MAGNET
MAGNET
89
Activity
89
Activity
82
Passes
7
Duels
L. Bade
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
E. Tapsoba
MAGNET
MAGNET
127
Activity
127
Activity
122
Passes
5
Duels
Midfielders
Lucas
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Andrich
NPC
NPC
88
Minutes
88
Minutes
49%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
E. Fernandez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
51
Total Mins
51
Entry
A. Grimaldo
CLOSER
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Forwards
M. Tillman
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
51
Total Mins
51
Entry
E. Ben Seghir
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
P. Schick
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
J. Blaswich
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
N. Lomb
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Arthur
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Tape
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Belocian
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Echeverri
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Garcia
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
39
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Poku
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
I. Maza
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
39
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. M. Kofane
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
15/01/2023 Bayer Leverkusen 1 - 0 FC Copenhagen Friendlies Clubs BayArena
27/08/2014 Bayer Leverkusen 4 - 0 FC Copenhagen UEFA Champions League BayArena
19/08/2014 FC Copenhagen 2 - 3 Bayer Leverkusen UEFA Champions League Parken
15/01/2023
Friendlies Clubs BayArena
27/08/2014
UEFA Champions League BayArena
19/08/2014
UEFA Champions League Parken
FC Copenhagen Win
Bayer Leverkusen Win
Draw

League Standings

Pos Team P Pts GF GA GD Form
1 Eintracht Frankfurt 1 3 5 1 +4 WEintracht Frankfurt 5 - 1 Galatasaray (18-09-2025)
2 Paris Saint Germain 1 3 4 0 +4 WParis Saint Germain 4 - 0 Atalanta (17-09-2025)
3 Sporting CP 1 3 4 1 +3 WSporting CP 4 - 1 Kairat Almaty (18-09-2025)
4 Club Brugge KV 1 3 4 1 +3 WClub Brugge KV 4 - 1 Monaco (18-09-2025)
5 Bayern München 1 3 3 1 +2 WBayern München 3 - 1 Chelsea (17-09-2025)
6 Union St. Gilloise 1 3 3 1 +2 WPSV Eindhoven 1 - 3 Union St. Gilloise (16-09-2025)
7 Arsenal 1 3 2 0 +2 WAthletic Club 0 - 2 Arsenal (16-09-2025)
8 Manchester City 1 3 2 0 +2 WManchester City 2 - 0 Napoli (18-09-2025)
9 Inter 1 3 2 0 +2 WAjax 0 - 2 Inter (17-09-2025)
10 Liverpool 1 3 3 2 +1 WLiverpool 3 - 2 Atletico Madrid (17-09-2025)
11 Qarabag 1 3 3 2 +1 WBenfica 2 - 3 Qarabag (16-09-2025)
12 Barcelona 1 3 2 1 +1 WNewcastle 1 - 2 Barcelona (18-09-2025)
13 Real Madrid 1 3 2 1 +1 WReal Madrid 2 - 1 Marseille (16-09-2025)
14 Tottenham 1 3 1 0 +1 WTottenham 1 - 0 Villarreal (16-09-2025)
15 Borussia Dortmund 1 1 4 4 0 DJuventus 4 - 4 Borussia Dortmund (16-09-2025)
16 Juventus 1 1 4 4 0 DJuventus 4 - 4 Borussia Dortmund (16-09-2025)
17 Bayer Leverkusen 1 1 2 2 0 DFC Copenhagen 2 - 2 Bayer Leverkusen (18-09-2025)
18 Bodo/Glimt 1 1 2 2 0 DSlavia Praha 2 - 2 Bodo/Glimt (17-09-2025)
19 FC Copenhagen 1 1 2 2 0 DFC Copenhagen 2 - 2 Bayer Leverkusen (18-09-2025)
20 Slavia Praha 1 1 2 2 0 DSlavia Praha 2 - 2 Bodo/Glimt (17-09-2025)
21 Olympiakos Piraeus 1 1 0 0 0 DOlympiakos Piraeus 0 - 0 Pafos (17-09-2025)
22 Pafos 1 1 0 0 0 DOlympiakos Piraeus 0 - 0 Pafos (17-09-2025)
23 Benfica 1 0 2 3 -1 LBenfica 2 - 3 Qarabag (16-09-2025)
24 Atletico Madrid 1 0 2 3 -1 LLiverpool 3 - 2 Atletico Madrid (17-09-2025)
25 Newcastle 1 0 1 2 -1 LNewcastle 1 - 2 Barcelona (18-09-2025)
26 Marseille 1 0 1 2 -1 LReal Madrid 2 - 1 Marseille (16-09-2025)
27 Villarreal 1 0 0 1 -1 LTottenham 1 - 0 Villarreal (16-09-2025)
28 Chelsea 1 0 1 3 -2 LBayern München 3 - 1 Chelsea (17-09-2025)
29 PSV Eindhoven 1 0 1 3 -2 LPSV Eindhoven 1 - 3 Union St. Gilloise (16-09-2025)
30 Ajax 1 0 0 2 -2 LAjax 0 - 2 Inter (17-09-2025)
31 Napoli 1 0 0 2 -2 LManchester City 2 - 0 Napoli (18-09-2025)
32 Athletic Club 1 0 0 2 -2 LAthletic Club 0 - 2 Arsenal (16-09-2025)
33 Monaco 1 0 1 4 -3 LClub Brugge KV 4 - 1 Monaco (18-09-2025)
34 Kairat Almaty 1 0 1 4 -3 LSporting CP 4 - 1 Kairat Almaty (18-09-2025)
35 Galatasaray 1 0 1 5 -4 LEintracht Frankfurt 5 - 1 Galatasaray (18-09-2025)
36 Atalanta 1 0 0 4 -4 LParis Saint Germain 4 - 0 Atalanta (17-09-2025)