Maza’s 34th-minute strike secured a vital victory for Bayer Leverkusen, exacting instant revenge on Borussia Dortmund following their recent Bundesliga loss. This historic first German Cup clash between the heavyweights saw the 2024 winners advance to the quarter-finals, joining RB Leipzig, Hertha Berlin, and St Pauli.
Dortmund frustratingly saw an early penalty appeal waved away after Jarell Quansah challenged Carney Chukwuemeka. However, the night belonged to 20-year-old Maza. Fresh from scoring against Manchester City, the youngster danced through a static defence to blast his side ahead. Although Martin Terrier had a subsequent goal disallowed for a marginal offside, Leverkusen remained in control. Dortmund desperately sought a late equalizer, yet Karim Adeyemi’s stoppage-time header flew inches wide of the post.
The result ensures Leverkusen continue their title defence, reversing the outcome from three days prior while leaving Dortmund to rue their missed opportunities in this tightly contested and dramatic knockout challenge.