Bayer Leverkusen vs. Barcelona: Score, Reaction from 2015 Champions League Match

Bayer Leverkusen came into Wednesday's matchup against Barcelona needing a win and some help to advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League. All Leverkusen could muster was a 1-1 draw at home, however.

While Leverkusen got the help they needed—Roma and BATE Borisov drew in the other matchup, opening the door for the Germans to advance with a win—the club was unable to break down a resolute Barca squad comprised of mostly reserves.

Lionel Messi did appear for Barcelona, however, scoring the game's opening goal in the first half, while goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was brilliant for the visitors. Javier Hernandez continued his hot streak for Leverkusen, scoring the team's only goal. 

Regardless of the result, it was a strong showing from the home side, as Stefan Bienkowski of STV Sport noted:

Indeed, Leverkusen dominated the stat sheet, out-shooting Barcelona 26-6 (6-2 on goal) while holding 49 percent of possession against Barcelona, a pretty big number against a side that normally dominates the ball.

Barcelona opened the scoring in the 20th minute, and it was a beauty. Hitting Leverkusen on the counter, Ivan Rakitic played a gorgeous pass behind the back line to a streaking Lionel Messi, who deked Bernd Leno with a fake shot on his left foot before cutting right and shooting the ball into the open net.

Fox Soccer shared the goal:

That goal put Messi in historic territory, per ESPN Stats & Info:

Even with Barcelona starting a side of mostly reserves, Messi seemed to be all the Catalan side would need, as Cristian Nyari of FCB Media noted:

That wasn't quite the case, however as just three minutes later Hernandez scored the equaliser.

Also hitting on the counter, Admir Mehmedi sent a low cross into the box. It took a slight deflection on the way in and found Hakan Calhanoglu, who lightly redirected the ball toward Hernandez. The Mexican forward took it from there, ripping a shot into the net to even the contest.

Hernandez has been on fire of late, as the goal was his 11th in his last 10 appearances for the German side.

The game would go into the half tied at a goal apiece, but Leverkusen came out like a team on fire, keeping constant pressure on Barcelona in the opening moments of the second frame. Karim Bellarabi had an excellent chance to put his team ahead in the 60th minute, as Hernandez slipped him in on goal behind Barca's defence, but goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made an excellent save to preserve the tie.

Hernandez looked primed for a brace in the 89th minute, as he got his foot on Stefan Kiesling's low cross and sent the ball toward goal. But somehow, Ter Stegen got a left arm on the ball, brilliantly deflecting the attempt away from the net.

Ter Stegen was a brick wall in the contest, as OptaJose tweeted:

Leverkusen continued to press until the final moment, but the one goal the team needed never came and the contest ended in a draw.

Barcelona came into the game having already clinched first place in the group, so they'll await their opponent for the round of 16. For Leverkusen, meanwhile, Wednesday's result means a trip to the Europa League, while Roma advanced to the knockout phase as the second-place team from Group E.

Post-Match Reaction

PATRIK STOLLARZ/Getty Images

After the contest, Bayer Leverkusen was understandably devastated.

"Tonight felt like a tragedy. We should have won," manager Roger Schmidt said after the game, per DW.com. "The fact that we didn't win is something I'll remember for the rest of my life."

For a team that had advancement to the knockout phase in their hands and couldn't capitalize despite countless opportunities, the disappointment was to be expected.

The reaction to the game was much different in the other locker room, however.

"I am positive. I have seen good things on the field and the result is a good one against a team who needed a result," Barcelona manager Luis Enrique said, per the club, before adding, "The objective was to allow players who have played a lot to have a rest."

Earning a drew while doing so was an added bonus.

Of course, a big reason for the draw was the play of ter Stegen, whom Enrique praised.

"Ter Stegen was spectacular," he said. "It's a game to reinforce him, it's great news."

Barcelona looks like one of the two favorites to win the Champions League this season, alongside Bayern Munich, so a win against a strong Bundesliga side while sporting a lineup of reserves makes them truly frightening for the rest of Europe.

For Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, there is one consolation—if they play in the Europa League like they did on Wednesday, they very well may find themselves back in the Champions League next year. They'll certainly be a tough out in Europe's consolation tournament.