Bayer Leverkusen will face Atalanta in the Europa League final and save the unbeaten team in the last minute.
(Reuters) — Bayer Leverkusen returned to the Europa League final with a 2-2 draw at home to Roma on Thursday.
After the draw, the aggregate score was 4–2, which also set a European record of invincibility.
Leverkusen, who will face Atalanta in the final, played their 49th match unbeaten and surpassed Benfica’s record set between 1963 and 1965.
Josip Stanisic celebrates the goal that extended their unbeaten lead. Photo: INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images
Roma took the lead with a Leandro Paredes penalty just before half-time after Jonathan Ta fouled Sardar Azmoune. Paredes scored another penalty in the 66th minute after a handball by Adam Chlozek.
With eight minutes left, a Leverkusen corner confused the visitors’ defence, resulting in Gianluca Mancini accidentally turning the ball into his own net at the far post.
Leandro Paredes celebrates one of Roma’s goals. Photo: Dean Mukhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Josef Stanisic ensured Leverkusen’s place in the record books in the 97th minute with a fine goal after a superb team move.
An unsurpassed joy for fans of the German team so far. Photo: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images
Atalanta reached the Europa League final for the first time
In the day’s other match, Ademola Lookman, Matteo Ruggeri and El Bilal Toure scored for Atalanta, who reached their first Europa League final by beating Olympique Marseille 3-0 to claim a 4-1 aggregate win.
Lookman gave Atalanta the lead on the half-hour mark with a long-range strike past Pao Lopez before allowing Ruggeri to double the lead in the 52nd minute.
Matteo Ruggeri celebrates the Italian team’s goal. Photo: MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images
Toure, who replaced him in the 94th season, made the score 3:0.
Atalanta, who face Juventus in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday, are fifth in Serie A and are in contention for Champions League qualification.
The Italians, who have never reached a European final, will meet Bayer Leverkusen in the final on May 22 in Dublin.