Europa League: Azmoun Helps Leverkusen to Beat Monaco
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian international forward Sardar Azmoun scored a penalty against Monaco in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.
Bayer Leverkusen reached the round of 16 after beating Monaco 5-3 on penalties at the end of an absorbing play-off tie.
The German side suffered a home 3-2 loss last week but defeated Monaco 3-2 in the second leg.
Florian Wirtz put the visiting team a lead in the 13th minute but Wissam Ben Yedder equalized the match from the spot in the 19th minute. Exequiel Palacios and Amine Adli made it 3-1 and Breel Embolo pulled a goal back for Monaco.
Neither team was able to score in extra time but Leverkusen held its nerve in the shootout to win a two-legged knockout tie in a major European competition for the first time after losing the first leg at home.
In the ensuing shootout, substitutes Sardar Azmoun and Nadiem Amiri put Leverkusen in control, before Eliot Matazo hit Monaco’s second spot-kick against the woodwork. Edmond Tapsoba, Schick and Moussa Diaby duly held their nerve as Bayer took their place in the last-16 draw alongside Bundesliga rival and upcoming opponents Freiburg –and potentially Union Berlin.
