Bayern Munich's perfect run ends with defeat to Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen ended Bayern Munich’s record start to the Bundesliga season by snatching a late 2-1 win on Sunday.

Sidney Sam’s 87th-minute goal gave Leverkusen their first victory in Munich for 23 years, and put an end to Bayern’s eight-game winning start in the league.

Unfortunate Bayern defender Jerome Boateng deflected the ball past his helpless goalkeeper after being struck in the face by Sam’s header from Gonzalo Castro’s cross. The Bundesliga website awarded the goal to the Leverkusen winger.

Stefan Kiessling opened the scoring for Leverkusen in the 42nd minute. Retreating Bayern defender Philipp Lahm could only help on Andre Schuerrle’s cross, ricocheting off the striker’s shin beyond goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. It was Leverkusen’s first shot on goal.

Mario Mandzukic briefly pulled the home side level with his league-leading eighth goal of the season in the 78th after being set up by substitute Claudio Pizarro.

Not long after, Mandzukic deflected Pizarro’s shot onto the right post as Bayern desperately sought the winning goal.

- AFP