Terrier's Moment of Magic Breaks Cologne Resistance
Bayer Leverkusen waited over an hour to find their breakthrough against stubborn Cologne, but when it finally came, it arrived in spectacular fashion. French substitute Martin Terrier entered the match in the 62nd minute and four minutes later produced one of the Bundesliga goals of the season—a breathtaking scorpion kick that sent the BayArena into delirium.
The champions of Germany eventually cruised to a 2-0 victory, climbing to fourth place in the table, but Terrier's acrobatic finish is what everyone will remember from Saturday's clash.
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) December 13, 2025
How the Scorpion Strike Happened
The 66th minute. Arthur whipped in a cross from the right flank. Terrier, with his back to goal, couldn't turn to meet the ball conventionally. So he didn't. Instead, he flicked his right leg backward over his head in a scorpion motion, redirecting the cross past Cologne's helpless goalkeeper.
It's the kind of goal that gets replayed endlessly, shared millions of times on social media, and remembered long after the final score is forgotten. Terrier had been on the pitch for barely four minutes. His first meaningful touch produced pure brilliance.
Scorpion kicks are rare in professional football because they require perfect timing, body positioning, and the kind of audacity most players don't possess. Terrier saw the cross coming, recognized he couldn't reach it normally, and executed a technique that most wouldn't even attempt in training.
Andrich Seals the Win Six Minutes Later
Cologne barely had time to recover from Terrier's stunner before Leverkusen doubled their advantage. In the 72nd minute, Robert Andrich finished off a move orchestrated by Aleix Garcia to make it 2-0.
That goal effectively ended the contest. Cologne, who had defended resolutely for over an hour, couldn't mount a comeback after conceding twice in quick succession. Leverkusen controlled the final twenty minutes, managing the game professionally and securing three crucial points.
The First Hour: Frustration for Leverkusen
Before Terrier's intervention, this match looked destined for the "solid defensive performance earns underdog a point" narrative. Cologne came to the BayArena with a clear defensive game plan: sit deep, stay compact, and frustrate the reigning champions.
It worked. For over sixty minutes, Leverkusen dominated possession but couldn't break through Cologne's organized defensive structure. Chances came and went. Shots were blocked. The crowd grew restless.
Enter Martin Terrier, whose scorpion kick transformed frustration into euphoria in the span of one magnificent moment.
Leverkusen Climb to Fourth Place
The victory moves Bayer Leverkusen to fourth place in the Bundesliga table, keeping them in the thick of the title race and firmly positioned for Champions League qualification. After defending their title last season, Leverkusen are proving they're not content to rest on past achievements.
Cologne Sits Ninth After Valiant Effort
Cologne drops to ninth place despite a performance that deserved more than a 2-0 defeat. They defended brilliantly for an hour, stayed organized, and gave Leverkusen genuine problems. But two moments of quality—Terrier's scorpion kick and Andrich's clinical finish—made the difference.
That's the reality of facing elite teams. You can defend well, execute your game plan, and still lose because individual brilliance decides tight matches. Cologne will take pride in their defensive structure while acknowledging they lacked the attacking quality to truly threaten Leverkusen's goal.
The Goal Everyone's Talking About
Martin Terrier's scorpion kick will dominate Bundesliga highlight reels for weeks. It's the kind of goal that transcends the match itself, becoming part of league folklore. Social media exploded with reactions—disbelief, admiration, and endless replays from every possible angle.
These moments are why people love football. You can watch thousands of matches and never see a scorpion kick executed that perfectly. Terrier had been on the pitch for four minutes. His first significant contribution produced magic that supporters will remember for years.
What This Win Means for Leverkusen's Season
Three points keeps Leverkusen competitive in the Bundesliga title race and solidifies their Champions League position. More importantly, the manner of the victory—grinding through a difficult opponent before producing moments of brilliance—demonstrates championship mentality.
Teams that win titles don't just dominate weak opponents. They find ways to beat stubborn defensive sides when the match looks like it might end goalless. Leverkusen did exactly that Saturday, thanks to Terrier's moment of magic and Andrich's clinical finish.
Bayer Leverkusen defeated Cologne 2-0 with Martin Terrier's scorpion kick breaking the deadlock in the 66th minute before Robert Andrich sealed the win six minutes later. The French substitute's acrobatic finish—one of the Bundesliga goals of the season—transformed a frustrating afternoon into a memorable victory that moves Leverkusen to fourth place.