Bayer Leverkusen make history as they edge into Dublin Europa League final
The German champions broke Benfica's longstanding record after going 48 consecutive games unbeaten.
Bayer Leverkusen will contest the Europa League final in Dublin after beating Roma 4-2 on aggregate.
Josip Stanisic preserved the German giants' remarkable unbeaten run with a last-gasp equaliser against Roma as the Xabi Alonso's side evaded defeat for the 48th game in a row.
Not for the first time in recent weeks, Leverkusen seemed destined to finally taste defeat. However, late fightback kept that unbeaten record alive.
They took a 2-0 lead into the second leg on home soil but Leandro Paredes scored twice from the penalty spot to draw the Italians level on aggregate.
Leverkusen got themselves back in front in the tie in the 82nd minute via an own goal from Gianluca Mancini but it was not until the seventh minute of injury time that Stanisic found the bottom corner to make it 4-2 on aggregate.
By extending their run to 49 games unbeaten, Leverkusen broke Benfica’s record for the longest sequence without defeat by a top-flight European team in all competitions.
In the final in Dublin on May 22 they will take on Atalanta, who eased to a 3-0 victory over Marseille for a 4-1 aggregate win to reach their first European showpiece.
Ademola Lookman put the Italians ahead on the half-hour mark, Matteo Ruggeri made it two seven minutes after half-time and El Bilal Toure added a third in injury time.
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