Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayer Leverkusen v FC Cologne - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - December 13, 2025 Bayer Leverkusen's Robert Andrich celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
LEVERKUSEN, Germany, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Bayer Leverkusen substitute Martin Terrier staked a claim for goal of the season on Saturday when he scored with a stunning mid-air backheeled volley to help his team to a 2-0 victory over Cologne in the Bundesliga's Rhine derby.
The 28-year-old broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, connectingwith Arthur's cross, which was behind his back, to score with a backheeled scorpion kick.
Cologne found themselves 2-0 down six minutes later before they had any time to recover, with Robert Andrich powering in a header from a corner.
The win lifted Leverkusen to 26 points in fourth place, with leaders Bayern Munich, on 37, in action against Mainz 05 on Sunday.
Leverkusen were in control and Malik Tillman should have scored early in the second half when he snatched the ball away from Cologne's Sebastian Sebulonsen, charged into the box with only the keeper to beat, but fired high over the bar.
His teammate Ibrahim Maza also went agonisingly close after a solo effort but his close-range shot was palmed wide by keeper Marvin Schwaebe from three metres out.
The hosts needed Terrier's magic to take the lead before Andrich made sure of the three points.
(Reporting by Karolos GrohmannEditing by Toby Davis)
