By Olaitan Ibrahim
Nigerian international Nathan Tella scored Bayer Leverkusen’s second goal as they qualified for the round of 16 automatically.
The 23-year-old’s strike, which came in the 64th minute, sealed a 2-0 victory over Sparta Prague at home, ensuring the Germans finished top of their group.
With the match delicately poised at 1-0 after Florian Wirtz’s stunning first-half goal, Leverkusen were pushing for a second goal.
Sparta Prague, however, showed resilience, with several late chances that threatened to derail the hosts.
But it was Tella who stepped up in the 64th minute, capitalising on a rebound from close range to smash the ball into the back of the net and give Leverkusen the second goal.
The match had been fraught with tension from the outset. Wirtz’s clinical strike in the 32nd minute had given Leverkusen a deserved lead, yet Sparta Prague’s spirited challenge remained strong throughout.
The visitors had several opportunities, with Jaroslav Zeleny coming agonisingly close with a header in the 72nd minute, and a nervy VAR review in the 29th minute left both sides hanging.
But it was Tella who made the difference, delivering when it mattered most. His goal came just minutes after Sparta’s attempt to wrest control back, with a series of substitutions shaking up the match.
Despite Leverkusen having the lion’s share of possession, Sparta Prague were relentless, forcing goalkeeper Matej Kovar into action on several occasions.
The victory not only secured their spot in the next stage but also gave Leverkusen the perfect platform to build momentum as they approach the knockout rounds.