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Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women continued their strong start to the 2025-26 Frauen-Bundesliga season with a gritty 2-1 home win against Eintracht Frankfurt Women at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on September 25, 2025. In front of an energetic crowd, Vanessa Fudalla emerged as the hero, netting both goals for the hosts to secure three vital points. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Frankfurt could only muster a single reply through Rebecka Blomqvist, leaving them frustrated in a match that ebbed and flowed with intensity. Entering the match, Leverkusen were in fine form, sitting third in the league with 6 points from 3 matches played, boasting 2 wins including a 3-2 victory over Union Berlin on September 15 and 1 loss, on a 2-match winning streak after their early setback. Frankfurt, meanwhile, occupied eighth place with 6 points from 3 matches, having secured 2 wins most recently a 4-3 thriller against RB Leipzig on September 22 and suffered 1 loss, showing inconsistent results without a current win streak. This result propels Leverkusen up to third in the early standings with 9 points from 4 matches and extends their winning streak to 3 in a row, while Frankfurt drops to eighth with 6 points from 4 matches and will rue missed opportunities in a game that highlighted the league’s competitive edge
Match statistics
| Statistic | Bayer Leverkusen | Eintracht Frankfurt |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Possession | 40% | 60% |
| Big Chances | 2 | 1 |
| Total Shots | 8 | 11 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 2 |
| Shots Off Target | 3 | 8 |
| Big Chances Scored | 1 | 1 |
| Big Chances Missed | 1 | 0 |
| Goalkeeper Saves | 1 | 1 |
| Corner Kicks | 3 | 3 |
| Fouls | 13 | 11 |
| Passes | 353 | 522 |
| Accurate Passes | 271 | 420 |
| Tackles | 15 | 14 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 4 |
Match Flow & Key Moments
- 7′: Jella Veit handles the ball in the penalty area, earning a yellow card. Vanessa Fudalla calmly converts the spot-kick with a left-footed shot to the bottom right corner, giving Leverkusen a 1-0 lead.
- 27′: Carlotta Wamser provides a pinpoint assist, allowing Fudalla to slot home from the center of the box for 2-0.
- 42′: Frankfurt pulls one back as Rebecka Blomqvist finishes from close range after a saved shot from Géraldine Reuteler, making it 2-1 just before the break.
- 62′: Carlotta Wamser receives a yellow for a foul on Pia-Sophie Wolter, highlighting the growing physicality.
- 64′: Frankfurt makes a triple substitution Nina Lührßen, Nicole Anyomi, and Remina Chiba enter in a bid to turn the tide.
- 77′: Chiba strikes the left post with a right-footed effort, Frankfurt’s closest chance to equalize.
- 82′: Lisanne Gräwe is booked for a bad foul, disrupting Frankfurt’s momentum.
- 93′: Double yellow cards for Loreen Bender and Ilayda Açikgöz amid heated exchanges.
- 94′: Amanda Ilestedt sees yellow for a foul, as Frankfurt push desperately in added time.
The encounter began with both sides probing for openings, but Leverkusen quickly asserted themselves through sharp counter-attacks. Frankfurt, deploying a 4-3-3 to control the midfield, enjoyed the lion’s share of possession early on, dictating play with precise passing and frequent entries into the final third. However, Leverkusen’s compact 4-4-2 formation allowed them to absorb pressure and strike decisively on the break. The first half was defined by Leverkusen’s clinical finishing, with Fudalla’s penalty in the seventh minute setting the tone. Frankfurt responded with waves of attacks, hitting the woodwork and forcing a save from Friederike Repohl, but Blomqvist’s close-range strike just before halftime kept them in contention. The second period saw Frankfurt ramp up the intensity, introducing fresh legs through triple substitutions around the hour mark, which injected pace and creativity. Leverkusen, meanwhile, focused on defensive solidity, making timely changes to shore up their midfield and backline. As the clock ticked down, tensions rose with a flurry of yellow cards in stoppage time, but Leverkusen held firm amid late Frankfurt pressure, including a missed chance by Remina Chiba.Overall, Frankfurt’s 60% possession and superior passing accuracy (420 accurate passes to Leverkusen’s 271) underscored their dominance in open play, but Leverkusen’s efficiency in front of goal and resilient defending proved the difference in a match that finished with five minutes of added time in the second half.
Player of the Match: Vanessa Fudalla (Bayer Leverkusen) – The forward’s brace, including a composed penalty and a well-taken second goal, was instrumental in securing the win. Her movement off the ball and clinical finishing stood out in a match where opportunities were at a premium, earning her the nod as the standout performer.
Lineups
Bayer Leverkusen (4-4-2):
Friederike Repohl (GK); Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Claudia Wenger, Lilla Turányi, Carlotta Wamser; Ruby Grant, Sofie Zdebel, Katharina Piljić, Kristin Kögel; Valentina Mädl, Vanessa Fudalla.
Captain: Friederike Repohl
Substitutes used: Loreen Bender (56′ for Zdebel), Caroline Kehrer (66′ for Mädl), Vanessa Haim (87′ for Grant).
Eintracht Frankfurt (4-3-3):
Lina Altenburg (GK); Pia-Sophie Wolter, Amanda Ilestedt, Jella Veit, Dilara Açikgöz; Erëleta Memeti, Lisanne Gräwe, Elisa Senß; Géraldine Reuteler, Laura Freigang (c), Rebecka Blomqvist.
Captain: Laura Freigang.
Substitutes used: Nina Lührßen (64′ for Wolter), Nicole Anyomi (64′ for Senß), Remina Chiba (64′ for Freigang), Jarne Teulings (80′ for Dilara Açikgöz), Ilayda Açikgöz (86′ for Gräwe).
This hard-earned 2-1 triumph underlines Bayer Leverkusen’s potential as contenders this season, blending defensive grit with opportunistic attacking play. Eintracht Frankfurt, despite their statistical superiority, will reflect on profligacy in front of goal and perhaps rue not capitalizing on their possession dominance. As the Frauen-Bundesliga heats up, matches like this exemplify the league’s growing parity and excitement, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters ahead.
