Victor Boniface made a stunning return to action, scoring a goal as Bayer Leverkusen defeated Hoffenheim 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker had been stood down from training last week as he explored a transfer to Saudi side Al-Nassr, but the deal fell through on Wednesday.
Boniface was given a surprise start by coach Xabi Alonso and repaid the faith by opening the scoring in the 15th minute.
He collected a ball from Alex Grimaldo to the right of goal and blasted a powerful left-foot shot through the hands of visiting goalkeeper Luca Philipp.
Jeremie Frimpong doubled Leverkusen’s lead just four minutes later, flying down the right flank and superbly finding the far corner.
Leverkusen looked set to stretch their lead in the 24th minute when Nathan Tella was felled in the box, but the decision was overturned by VAR.
The referee explained the decision over stadium speakers, a Bundesliga first, as part of a test programme introduced this weekend.
Boniface made way for Patrik Schick at half-time, and the Czech striker scored six minutes later, slamming in a rebound after some clever work from Aston Villa loanee Emi Buendia.
Despite losing Grimaldo to a second yellow card and conceding a goal to Gift Orban inside two minutes, Leverkusen held on to stay in touch with Bayern Munich, who visit Leverkusen’s BayArena in two weeks.
Coach Xabi Alonso praised his side’s “total control” and said the successful return would do Boniface good, admitting that his side have “some good competition in the striker position”.
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