The game started on the right note for Xabi Alonso’s side when Wirtz calmly converted a penalty to open the scoring. The 20-year-old was a thorn in Salzburg’s side throughout, and his quick feet and vision kept the Austrian defense on edge. Just 11 minutes in, Wirtz was fouled on the edge of the box, setting the stage for Alejandro Grimaldo. The Spaniard curled a sublime free kick over the wall and into the net, leaving Salzburg goalkeeper Alexander Schlager with no chance.
Despite Schlager's best efforts to keep his side in the game, Salzburg’s inability to deal with Leverkusen’s pace and precision was evident. Their sloppiness in possession and lack of urgency in closing down threats proved costly. Thirty minutes in, Leverkusen’s intricate play saw Grimaldo, Robert Andrich, and Wirtz combine seamlessly. Wirtz applied the finishing touch to make it 3-0, giving the hosts a commanding lead by halftime.
The second half brought no respite for Salzburg. Patrick Schick joined the party with a close-range finish from a Jeremie Frimpong delivery. It was a rare moment where Wirtz wasn’t directly involved, but the young German wasn’t done yet. He turned provider late in the game, setting up Aleix Garcia, who drilled a powerful strike past Schlager to round off the 5-0 rout.
Leverkusen’s dominance was underlined by a staggering 3.98 expected goals (xG) compared to Salzburg’s meager 0.23. While the Austrian side struggled to create meaningful chances, Alonso’s men were relentless, showcasing the attacking prowess that has earned them three wins in this season’s Champions League group stage.
For Salzburg, the defeat leaves them fighting for their European survival after another lackluster outing. For Leverkusen, it was a statement performance that firmly reestablishes their credentials as a force to be reckoned with in Europe.
As the group stage nears its conclusion, all eyes will remain on Wirtz, who continues to shine as one of Europe’s brightest young talents. If this performance is anything to go by, Leverkusen’s journey in the Champions League could be far from over.
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