Rafaela Borggräfe's collision reshapes Leverkusen's Bundesliga fight

Bayer Leverkusen's 26‑year‑old goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe was forced off after a violent mid‑air clash in the women's Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen on Friday evening, leaving the stadium in stunned silence as she lay unconscious on the pitch for the home side.

Collision and immediate aftermath

The incident occurred in the 22nd minute when Werder Bremen earned a free‑kick from the halfway line. Borggräfe rushed out of her goal to claim the ball but collided heavily in the air with Werder midfielder Michelle Ulbrich. Both players hit the ground, with Ulbrich quickly getting to her feet while Borggräfe remained prone. Medical staff rushed onto the pitch as the crowd fell silent.

Referee Julia Boike immediately ruled a foul on Borggräfe, brandishing a yellow card and awarding a penalty to Bremen. The decision was deemed reckless and sparked a brief protest from the Leverkusen bench. The spot‑kick was converted by Luna Vanzeir, putting the visitors ahead. Medical staff attended to the goalkeeper for several minutes before confirming she could not continue.

Charlotte Voll was summoned from the bench to replace the injured Borggräfe at around the 30th minute. The German report noted the pronoun Sie when referring to the goalkeeper’s inability to carry on. The ball was quickly returned to play as the match resumed. The substitution gave Leverkusen a fresh option in goal.

Match outcome and lingering concerns

Werder Bremen extended their lead two minutes later through Michelle Weiß, making it 2‑0. The match took place at the Leverkusen Stadion, and the home side fought back in the second half. Leverkusen responded with a rapid double from Cornelia Kramer in the 54th and 56th minutes, followed by a late strike from Lobke Loonen in the 81st minute, securing a 3‑2 victory.

The win restored three points for Bayer Leverkusen, but the evening was marred by the unresolved injury to Borggräfe. A diagnosis was still pending at the end of the match, despite her recent nomination for the German national team in October 2025, where she has yet to earn a cap. Her recovery will be closely monitored by the club’s medical staff.