Bayer Leverkusen delivered a commanding performance at the BayArena on Saturday, defeating Union Berlin 2-0 in a result that underlines their ambitions for the Bundesliga campaign and propels them into the top four. Goals from young stars Ernest Poku and Christian Kofane—each capitalizing on moments of incisive attacking and defensive lapses—ensured a convincing victory for Kasper Hjulmand’s side, who dominated from start to finish.

Leverkusen controlled the flow of the game from the outset, posting a staggering 74% possession and stringing together over 800 passes, a testament to their composure and tactical discipline. While Union Berlin briefly threatened in the opening minutes—Jeong Woo-yeong drawing a sharp save from Mark Flekken—the hosts’ collective quality quickly asserted itself.

The breakthrough arrived in the 33rd minute, with Lucas Vázquez orchestrating a move down the right flank. His precise cutback found Ernest Poku in stride, and the Dutch forward made no mistake, driving the ball past Frederik Rønnow for his second goal of the season. The BayArena erupted, Poku’s sharp movement and finish highlighting why he’s become a central figure in Leverkusen’s attack.

Union responded with a flurry of corners before halftime, but Leverkusen’s defense, anchored by Jarell Quansah and Loïc Badé, stood firm. The first half ended on a somber note as Leverkusen’s captain Alejandro Grimaldo had to be stretchered off following a head collision—a blow for the hosts, though one that did not derail their momentum. The official recap from Bundesliga’s verified YouTube channel confirms the sequence, showing Grimaldo’s departure and Poku’s impactful display.

Just four minutes after the restart, Leverkusen doubled their lead through opportunistic pressing. Under little pressure, Union keeper Rønnow misplayed a pass directly into the path of Christian Kofane, who calmly slotted home for his first Bundesliga goal at the BayArena. The “Bundesliga” YouTube recap—with over 3.5 million subscribers—captures Kofane’s alert reaction and the deflation among Union’s backline, underscoring the errors that plagued Steffen Baumgart’s team.

With a two-goal cushion, Leverkusen continued to dictate play, nearly adding a third when substitute Ibrahim Maza rattled the post. Union Berlin’s attempts to rally fell flat; despite a triple substitution on the hour mark—and a handful of half-chances for Andrej Ilić and others—Leverkusen’s back line remained unbreached. Union’s frustration was reflected in a spate of yellow cards, as they struggled to keep pace and disrupt Leverkusen’s rhythm.

The final whistle confirmed a seventh consecutive unbeaten match across all competitions for Leverkusen, whose fluid passing and attacking intent mark them as a team on the rise. For Union Berlin, it was a sobering afternoon—a reminder of the standards required at the Bundesliga’s upper echelons and the perils of defensive lapses against top opponents.

Key moments and comprehensive highlights of this match can be found in the official Bundesliga YouTube Match Recap, providing further insight into Leverkusen's dominant display and Union’s costly errors.