Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios converted a penalty in stoppage time as his team held 11-time defending champions Bayern Munich 2-2 in the tricky away game and declared themselves a Bundesliga title contender. (More Football News)
In some late drama, France defender Dayot Upamecano scored with the last kick of the game for Bayern, but the goal was confirmed as offside by a video review and Thomas Tuchel's team had to settle for a point against the only other side to have started the league with three wins.
Earlier, Leon Goretzka seemed to have earned Bayern a late win to maintain the champion's perfect start.
Mathys Tel, who came on from the bench, crossed from the left and found Goretzka free in the middle to fire what many then thought was the winner in the 86th minute.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel later said, “It looked like we landed the lucky punch, but then we had the iffy decision against us.”
Alphonso Davies was penalized through VAR for a foul on Jonas Hofmann and Palacios scored the equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppages.
“A very soft penalty,” Bayern veteran Thomas Muller complained. “It wouldn't have been awarded in England.”
However, referee Daniel Schlager defended his decision, saying there was contact between Davies' leg and Hofmann's calf.
Earlier, Harry Kane scored again for Bayern. The club's record-signing was left free at the far post to head in the opener from a corner in the seventh minute.
Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba headed on Leroy Sane's corner and Granit Xhaka wasn't close enough to Kane to stop the England captain from grabbing his fourth goal in as many games.
Seventeen minutes later, Alejandro Grimaldo equalized with a perfectly struck free kick into the top right corner after he had been fouled in front of the penalty area with a high foot from Muller.
Tuchel and Muller complained about that decision too. Tuchel was booked at the time for protesting, while counterpart Xabi Alonso remained cool as Grimaldo celebrated in the corner.
Leverkusen’s confidence grew visibly after the goal. Victor Boniface went close, then had a goal ruled out for offside.
But the visitors also needed Lukas Hradecky at his best, first with a save to deny Muller, then another one to thwart Serge Gnabry from the rebound.
Florian Wirtz of Leverkusen struck the post in the second half before the drama unfolded in the dying minutes.
(With AP inputs)
