Victor Boniface seals Leverkusen's 2-1 pre-season win over Newcastle

Bayer Leverkusen defeated Newcastle United 2-1 at St James’ Park, with Victor Boniface scoring the winning goal in the 82nd minute. The pre-season result adds to the Nigerian forward’s claims that he is ready for the new Bundesliga campaign.

The match was part of the VisitMalta Weekender and started with an early breakthrough for Leverkusen. Ibrahim Maza put the German side ahead inside the opening minute, finding the net with a shot from 25 yards.

Newcastle recovered from that setback and levelled shortly before the interval. Malick Thiaw scored in the 44th minute to make it 1-1, leaving the contest evenly poised for much of the second half.

Boniface then decided the match eight minutes from full time. His strike restored Leverkusen’s advantage and secured a victory that maintains their unbeaten-looking pre-season momentum as preparations for competitive football continue.

The goal carries added importance for the 25-year-old after a difficult period. His first season at Leverkusen brought major success, including the 2023/24 Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal. The following two campaigns were disrupted by injury problems.

Boniface spent last season on loan at Werder Bremen, where his progress was further interrupted by a serious knee injury. He underwent surgery in January and made only scattered appearances, limiting his opportunity to build consistency.

He has now returned to his parent club and will aim to play a central role in Leverkusen’s attack. The Bundesliga is scheduled to begin on August 22, 2026, giving Boniface and his team-mates one more week to complete their preparations.