Lucas Vázquez strike gives Bayer Leverkusen first win of 2026
Lucas Vázquez scored the decisive goal as Bayer Leverkusen ended their three-game losing streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen at the BayArena.
Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Werder Bremen
Goal: 1-0 Vázquez 37’ (assist Maza)
Pressure had been mounting on both sides heading into this Bundesliga clash at the BayArena. Kasper Hjulmand's Bayer Leverkusen had lost all three of their matches in 2026, including back-to-back league defeats against VfB Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, while Horst Steffen's Werder Bremen were winless in their previous seven Bundesliga outings.
Die Werkself fielded their oldest starting XI of the season, with an average age of 28.6 years, hoping experience would help turn their fortunes around. There was positive news in the squad with Exequiel Palacios returning to the bench after several months out injured. Bremen, interestingly, were unbeaten in their last three meetings with Leverkusen and actually won on their last visit to the BayArena in March 2025.
Bremen start brightly before injury blow
The visitors made a surprisingly positive start, with Jens Stage testing Janis Blaswich in the third minute after a quick free-kick. Justin Njinmah also threatened for Bremen shortly after, but his effort was blocked by Loïc Badé.
Leverkusen thought they had taken the lead when Patrik Schick found the net, but VAR ruled it out for handball. The hosts continued to press, though, and Ernest Poku squandered a golden opportunity in the 18th minute, somehow lifting the ball over from just a few yards out after brilliant work from Schick.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 37th minute when Lucas Vázquez exchanged passes with Ibrahim Maza before slotting home clinically. Bremen, however, nearly replied immediately as Njinmah's header struck the post, while Maza almost doubled Leverkusen's lead in first-half stoppage time with a thunderous long-range effort that also cannoned off the woodwork.
Backhaus shines as Bremen push in vain
Leverkusen still created the clearer chances after half-time. Alejandro Grimaldo was denied twice by excellent Backhaus saves, the second coming in the 75th minute when the goalkeeper stood tall in a one-on-one situation.
Hjulmand made several changes, including introducing Malik Tillman and Ignacio Ezequiel for Poku and match-winner Vázquez in the 57th minute. Palacios made his long-awaited return in the 72nd minute, replacing Aleix García.
Bremen threw on Keke Topp as they pushed for an equaliser, and the striker nearly delivered with a header that flew just wide in the 86th minute. Despite late pressure, Leverkusen held firm to secure their first win of 2026, ending their three-match losing streak in all competitions.
Player of the Match: Lucas Vázquez
The Spanish defender proved to be the difference-maker on an evening where Leverkusen desperately needed inspiration. His well-taken goal in the 37th minute was the culmination of a clever one-two with Maza, as he finished clinically past Backhaus from just inside the penalty area.
Beyond his pivotal strike, Vázquez was a constant threat down the right flank during his 57 minutes on the pitch, combining well with team-mates and causing problems for Bremen's defenders.
His contribution was reflected in him earning the highest fantasy points total (245) of any Leverkusen player. The 34-year-old's experience proved invaluable as Hjulmand's side ended their three-match losing streak to kickstart their 2026 campaign.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Leverkusen 2.23 - Bremen 1.14
Fastest player: Justin Njinmah (Bremen), 34.79 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Lucas Vázquez (Leverkusen), 31 percent
Most pressed player: Romano Schmid (Bremen), 27 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Mio Backhaus (Bremen), +2.96
Fantasy Heroes: Marco Friedl (Bremen, 265 Points), Lucas Vázquez (Leverkusen, 245 Points), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen, 259 Points)
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