LEVERKUSEN: Holders Bayer Leverkusen came from two goals down and scored a last-gasp equaliser before snatching a 3-2 extra-time win over second division club Cologne on Wednesday to reach the German Cup semi-finals.

Victor Boniface volleyed in the winner in the 98th minute after fellow Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick, who had cut the deficit in the 61st, headed in deep in second-half stoppage time to force extra time in a pulsatingencounter.

`It was a very hard game against an opponent who did very well, but we showed a good reaction,` Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso told reporters. `It was maybe not our best game but we played with a big heart. We fought until the last minute to reach this stage.

Leverkusen were expected to cruise against their second-division opponents, but found themselves two down early in the second half as Damion Downs and Linton Maina scored either side of halftime.

Downs took advantage of some sloppy defending to blast into the bottom left corner with the last kick before the break and Cologne silenced the Leverkusen crowd with a second goal nine minutes after the restart as Maina completed a quick break.

Staring at a first loss in the competition since July 2022, Florian Wirtz assisted Patrik Schick to kick start a comeback effort with 30 minutes remaining before the Czechheadedinatthefarposttosend the match into extra time.

Nigeria international Boniface then slipped into the box and volleyed in Alex Grimaldo`s cross to give Leverkusen the lead.

Cologne thought they had levelled in the 112th minute through Imad Rondic but his effort was ruled offside.-Agencies