New Delhi, Sep 13 (NationPress) Bayer Leverkusen has marked its first Bundesliga victory of the 2025-26 season with a 3-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, giving new coach Kasper Hjulmand a triumphant start as they kicked off the third round on Friday.

Entering the match with confidence after two opening victories, Frankfurt found themselves trailing early. Alejandro Grimaldo initiated the scoring in the 10th minute when his free-kick from distance hit the post and ricocheted off goalkeeper Michael Zetterer into the net. This early score injected momentum into the hosts, despite both teams needing to make quick substitutions due to injuries, as reported by Xinhua.

As the first half unfolded, Leverkusen began to assert control, and their efforts yielded results just before halftime. Nathan Tella was fouled in the box by Frankfurt captain Robin Koch, allowing Patrik Schick to calmly convert the subsequent penalty in stoppage time, granting Leverkusen a 2-0 lead at the break.

Frankfurt responded quickly after the second half commenced. In the 52nd minute, young talent Can Uzun reduced the deficit with a deflected shot, marking his third consecutive league goal. Energized, Frankfurt pressed forward and nearly equalized when Nnamdi Collins struck the crossbar moments later, while Uzun narrowly missed another opportunity.

Leverkusen's situation became dire in the 59th minute when captain Robert Andrich received a second yellow card. With only ten men, the hosts had to dig deep defensively while still posing threats on the counter. Frankfurt introduced fresh attacking players in the closing stages, but their advances were consistently halted by Leverkusen's organized defense.

In stoppage time, Leverkusen faced an even more challenging situation as Exequiel Fernandez also received a second booking, leaving them with just nine players. However, rather than faltering, Hjulmand's squad delivered a decisive blow. Grimaldo stepped up again in the 98th minute, curling a free-kick over the wall and into the net to cement a 3-1 victory.

This win ends Leverkusen's shaky start, which had seen them gather only one point from their initial two matches, providing a much-needed boost under their new Danish coach. For Frankfurt, this defeat extends their winless streak in Leverkusen, persisting since December 2013.