ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — Victor Boniface didn’t have to score to make a big impression for Bayer Leverkusen on its return to the Champions League on Thursday.
With an exquisite piece of footwork in the build-up to the second goal in a 4-0 win at Feyenoord, the Nigeria striker earned the praise of his teammates — and plenty of soccer fans on social media.
Boniface was on the edge of the area when he pretended to shoot with his right foot, only to play the ball wide to Jeremie Frimpong with his left foot in the same movement.
Frimpong wound up crossing for Alex Grimaldo to score for 2-0 in the 30th minute.
“That’s his signature move,” Leverkusen forward Florian Wirtz said of Boniface. “I think he’s the best at doing it in the soccer world.”
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso called it a “Boni-trick.”
“When it works, we’re happy,” Alonso said of a piece of skill Boniface does a lot in training, “and when it doesn’t, we need to be a bit simpler.”
Wirtz scored the first and third goals for Leverkusen, which thrilled European soccer last season by going unbeaten in the domestic game in Germany to win the league-and-cup double while also reaching the Europa League final, ultimately losing to Atalanta.
It was Wirtz’s debut in the Champions League.
“We were just happy to be playing in the Champions League again,” the Germany international told DAZN. “I didn’t count on finishing with two goals, but I had two chances and I just used them both.”
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Feyenoord's Ramiz Zerrouki, left, and Leverkusen's Victor Boniface fight for the ball during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Feyenoord and Leverkusen in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Feyenoord's Ramiz Zerrouki, left, and Leverkusen's Victor Boniface fight for the ball during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Feyenoord and Leverkusen in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
ATLANTA (AP) — Haynes King threw a go-ahead 4-yard scoring pass to Jamal Haynes early in the fourth quarter and Georgia Tech overcame two touchdown passes by Maalik Murphy to beat Duke 24-14 on Saturday night, handing the Blue Devils their first loss.
Sahmir Hagans gave Duke a 14-10 lead on a 65-yard touchdown pass from Murphy late in the third quarter.
Haynes, who ran for 128 yards on 19 carries, capped a 14-play drive which covered 85 yards by catching the soft pass in the right side of the end zone for a 17-14 lead. King padded the lead with a 9-yard scoring pass to Eric Singleton Jr. with 6:36 remaining.
Georgia Tech (4-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) dominated the first half and then recovered after blowing a 10-0 lead.
Duke (5-1, 1-1) failed to extend its best start to a season since winning its first seven games in 1994.
King was busy as a runner and passer, often taking off on keepers. He had 12 carries for 30 yards while completing 23 of 31 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Backup quarterback Zach Pyron added a 2-yard scoring run to cap the Yellow Jackets' opening drive.
Murphy passed for more than 200 yards for the sixth consecutive game, completing 18 of 31 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Ahmari Harvey ended Duke's last possession with an interception with 11 seconds remaining.
Duke's Todd Pelino was wide right on a 43-yard field goal attempt with 3:58 remaining.
Georgia Tech took a 108-10 advantage in total yards in the first quarter and led 10-0 before a pass interference call on Syeed Gibbs against Hagans. Hagans appeared to trip on the play before Gibbs intercepted the ball before the apparent turnover was wiped out by the penalty.
On first down from the Georgia Tech 20, Murphy threw a short pass to Eli Pancol, who found open field to the end zone. Georgia Tech fans booed following the penalty and again as teams left the field at halftime.
Duke: Murphy suffered his first loss after posting a 7-0 record, including two wins at Texas before his transfer. Murphy had too little help from the Blue Devils' running game. Star Thomas had 14 carries for only 48 yards. Georgia Tech outrushed Duke 245-74 and claimed a 412-279 advantage in total yards.
Georgia Tech: King's quick and mostly accurate passes were effective when paired with Haynes' strong runs. Jordan van den Berg had a third-down sack of Murphy late in the first half to take the Blue Devils out of field goal position and added another tackle for loss.
Duke: Hosts Florida State on Oct. 18.
Georgia Tech: Visits North Carolina on Oct. 12. The Tar Heels fell to 3-3 and 0-2 in the ACC with a 34-24 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (11) stiff arms Duke Blue Devils linebacker Cameron Bergeron (4) in the first quarter of a football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Zach Pyron (5) celebrates in the end zone after a rushing touchdown in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (2) runs down the sidelines after a punt return in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Malik Rutherford (8) runs the ball after a catch in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) drops back to pass in the first quarter of a football game against the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) drops back to pass in the first quarter of a football game against the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Malik Rutherford (8) breaks a tackle in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (2) stretches out for a pass in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (11) runs the ball in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (11) runs the ball in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
