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BORISOV, Belarus (AP) — Admir Mehmedi's volley salvaged a 1-1 draw for Bayer Leverkusen away at BATE Borisov in the Champions League on Tuesday.
A goalkeeping error from Bernd Leno handed BATE the lead in the second minute, Mikhail Gordeichuk's tame low shot skidding between the keeper's legs.
As BATE tried to hold on for a second surprise win of the group stage, Leverkusen dominated the game but could not break through the Belarusian team's defense until the 68th minute, when Swiss forward Mehmedi hit an elegant volley inside the far post off a pass from Hakan Calhanoglu.
Earlier, BATE goalie Sergei Chernik kept Leverkusen at bay around halftime with a reaction save, using his leg to block a low shot from Javier Hernandez, who was trying to score for the eighth game in succession for Leverkusen.
In the latter stages, Leverkusen pushed men forward in search of a much-needed win, but was thwarted by Chernik and, at times, inaccurate shooting.
The draw ensured qualification for group leader Barcelona, and kept Leverkusen and BATE, third and fourth respectively in Group E, hopeful of finishing second for the other qualifying spot.
Leverkusen has the harder last group match next month, against Barcelona. Roma hosts BATE.
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