Bayer Leverkusen beat Sparta Prague to reach Champions League last 16

A goal in each half sent Bayer Leverkusen into the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday with a comfortable 2-0 win over a toothless Sparta Prague side that was unable to offer much resistance to the German champions. The result cemented Leverkusen’s position as one of the in-form teams of the competition, extending their impressive unbeaten run under coach Xabi Alonso.

Leverkusen broke through in the 32nd minute after dominating play from the opening whistle. The breakthrough came when Jeremie Frimpong collected the ball near midfield and embarked on a surging run down the right flank, leaving Sparta defenders scrambling in his wake. With precision timing, he delivered a low cross into the path of Florian Wirtz, who executed a sublime first-time shot past Sparta goalkeeper Peter Vindahl. It was a move emblematic of Leverkusen’s high-intensity, attacking style under Alonso, as they continued to assert their dominance throughout the first half.

The German club spent most of the match piling relentless pressure on Sparta’s backline, forcing errors and dictating the tempo. The visitors, by contrast, struggled to maintain possession and create attacking opportunities. Their midfield was frequently overrun, and they were unable to string together meaningful passages of play. Leverkusen’s defensive setup remained largely untroubled, with the home side’s defenders acting more as deep-lying playmakers than under genuine threat from the Sparta attack.

Leverkusen’s second goal came in the 64th minute, providing them with the cushion they needed to see out the match with ease. It was Nathan Tella who doubled their advantage, reacting swiftly to slam home a rebound into an empty net after Vindahl had made an impressive stop to deny Alejandro Grimaldo’s direct free kick from outside the penalty area. Despite Vindahl’s heroics, the save only delayed the inevitable, as Tella’s sharp instincts ensured the ball was buried at the second time of asking.

Sparta Prague showed brief flashes of attacking intent early in the second half, with forward Victor Olatunji managing to carve out two quick chances. However, these moments proved to be fleeting, as the visitors never posed a sustained threat to Leverkusen’s defensive structure. Any hopes of a comeback quickly faded, with Sparta reverting to their passive approach, struggling to build up meaningful attacking moves.

Leverkusen, by contrast, continued to probe for a third goal, controlling possession and dictating the rhythm of play. The team’s ability to seamlessly transition from defense to attack was on full display, with Wirtz, Frimpong, and Granit Xhaka orchestrating play in midfield. Their fluid movement created constant openings, though they were content to see out the remainder of the game without taking unnecessary risks.

Sparta Prague’s elimination from the competition came as little surprise after what had been a disappointing campaign. Their exit was confirmed with just one win, one draw, and six losses—a record that underscored their struggles against Europe’s elite. While the Czech side showed glimpses of potential in individual moments, their lack of consistency and attacking bite ultimately proved their undoing.

As for Leverkusen, their progression to the round of 16 highlights the strides they have made under Alonso’s guidance. The former Spanish international has instilled a tactical discipline and attacking verve that has transformed the club into a formidable force in European football. With confidence growing and key players hitting peak form, Leverkusen will be a team to watch in the knockout stages, as they aim to make a deep run in this year’s competition.