Just days after a disappointing Europa League final performance and result, Granit Xhaka redeemed himself with a stunning long-range strike to secure Bayer Leverkusen’s first-ever domestic double.

The former Arsenal captain’s heroics led his team to a 1-0 victory over Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final, despite playing with 10 men for much of the second half.

Earlier this week, Granit Xhaka put in what was probably his worst performance of the season when Bayer Leverkusen finally lost a game and the Europa League final.

The team that went through the entire Bundesliga unbeaten to secure the title bounced back immediately, however, with Granit Xhaka the hero as he scored the only goal of the game against Kaiserslautern in the German cup final to seal the double. And what a goal it was!

Bayer Leverkusen's Swiss midfielder #34 Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the German Cup (DFB-Pokal) final football match between 1 FC Kaiserslautern and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on May 25, 2024. (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen’s Swiss midfielder #34 Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the German Cup (DFB-Pokal) final football match between 1 FC Kaiserslautern and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on May 25, 2024. (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Xhaka‘s crucial 16th-minute goal and strong performance throughout the match were instrumental in Leverkusen‘s win. His contribution was especially vital after Leverkusen were reduced to 10 men due to Odilon Kossounou‘s red card late in the first half.

Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso praised Xhaka‘s goal and the team’s resilience, stating, “To win like that at the end, we showed our team spirit. We fought hard, we did it for everyone, the fans, the club.”

BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 25: Granit Xhaka of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates with the DFB-Pokal Trophy after his team's victory in the DFB Cup 2023/24 final match between 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Olympiastadion on May 25, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 25: Granit Xhaka of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates with the DFB-Pokal Trophy after his team’s victory in the DFB Cup 2023/24 final match between 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Olympiastadion on May 25, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Despite facing a man disadvantage in the second half, Leverkusen, under Alonso‘s guidance, managed to maintain control of the game and secure their victory. The win adds another trophy to the club’s cabinet and marks a successful debut season for Alonso as manager.

The German Cup final was also an historic event, being the first since 2012 not to feature Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, or RB Leipzig, who together hold a combined 27 German Cup titles. Leverkusen‘s triumph over Kaiserslautern signifies a shift in German football’s landscape, with new contenders emerging to challenge the traditional powerhouses.