The first half of the UEFA Europa League match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Metalist Kharkiv was very evenly matched, with Eren Derdiyok's goal being the only real difference between the two sides. The second half was a completely different story, as Metalist were completely overrun by their visitors. Bayer's second goal was stunning, and Sidney Sam decided to add a stoppage time brace to put the exclamation point on a fantastic win that all but guarantees Bayer's safe passage into the next round of the competition.
Metalist were almost certainly affected by the fact that they have not played since November, which would explain why they were a good match for Bayer in the first half, but faded significantly towards the end of the game. Bayer's second goal came in the 72nd minute, and it was all downhill from there as Metalist would fail to create much of anything going forward from that point on.
Renato Augusto was almost certainly the man of the match, as he was the focal point of both of Bayer's two goals before he was substituted. Derdiyok's goal was technically assisted by Hanno Balitisch, but Augusto was the man directing the traffic. His give and go move with Derdiyok to set up Castro for a tap in was even more impressive.
Once the game was already basically over, Sidney Sam decided to turn the score line from fair to embarrassing, scoring a brace for himself with two goals in stoppage time. It put the exclamation point on a great win for Bayer that was well deserved.