'What the papers say: The man for unique moments'

Under the headline "Bellarabi scores a goal for eternity", the Bild provides an historical assessment and also praises another Werkself pro: "A Berliner from Leverkusen has broken the sound barrier: Karim Bellarabi (26) scores an historic landmark goal in the Bundesliga in the 3-1 win at Augsburg. Bellarabi is Mr 50,000 and his goal will stand in the record books forever. The first Bundesliga goal was scored in 1963. By Timo Konietzka for Borussia Dortmund in a 3-2 defeat at Werder Bremen. Goal number 25,000 was scored by Frank Mill (Borussia Dortmund) in 1988. And now, 19,536 days after the strike by Konietzka, Bellarabi takes it to 50,000. Bellarabi of all people! The craftsmen (family from Morocco) also netted the fastest goal in the history of the league (after nine seconds in the 2-0 win at Dortmund in 2014). He also suffered his quickest injury in the same time of nine seconds at Hamburg in the summer of 2016 – the man for unique moments!… Leverkusen clearly on top in the Augsburg rain. The Mexican Chicharito does the rest with two goals. But the 17-year-old Kai Havertz (from Aachen) is outstanding: plenty of joy in playing, two assists, top marks from Bild.

The Kölnische Rundschau focuses on Bellarabi's goal: "The question about the goalscorer for the history books was answered after 23 minutes. Augsburg lost the ball on the halfway line. Via Julian Brandt and Hernández the ball lands the feet of the impressive Kai Havertz. Just 17 years old, the centres to Bellarabi who was in the right place with his right foot. Marwin Hitz in the Augsburg goal, who saved from Havertz (7') and others, was left helpless. Chicharito Hernández sealed the final result (40'/65'). Dominik Kohr scored a consolation goal (60') in front of 25,010 fans."

The Express reports: "Leverkusen's international star secured a place in the history books of the Bundesliga with the opening goal at FC Augsburg (23'). A worthy landmark goal for the Werkself – and reward for an outstanding first half.' That's exactly how we want to score goals. I didn't think about the landmark at all but now I can enjoy the goal even more,' who has now notched up another record following the fastest goal. Back then, he scored in Dortmund after nine seconds. Bayer in party mood! A week after the outstanding display against Frankfurt, Leverkusen also got to grips with FCA. The victory sees the Werkself climb up to eighth place on 30 points and European qualification is back in sight."

The Kölner Stadt Anzeiger also highlights another stat: "Another historical stat was considerably more significant than the landmark goal from a Leverkusen perspective: The Werkself continue their run in matches against the Bavarian Swabian team – in 14 meetings unbeaten 14 times with nine victories.”

The Rheinische Post writes: "Bellarabi's place in the history books is secure – as is the fact that the Werkself is drawing closer to the European spots."

The Kicker analysis reads: "Bayer Leverkusen continued their positive trend in Augsburg on Friday night with a second Bundesliga win in succession. The Werkself won 3-1 at FC Augsburg and are not just happy to take three points away from Swabia. According to the DFL calculations, Bellarabi scored the 50,000th goal in the history of the Bundesliga and Chicharito also celebrated a landmark.… Clear domination by the Werkself produces clear-cut chances for Havertz (7') and Chicharito (8', 14'). However, neither the 17-year-old teenager nor the Mexican secured a place in the Bundesliga annals: International Bellarabi converted a brilliant move to make it 1-0 for the visitors and enter the record books (23'). Shortly after that, Bellarabi missed the chance to double his total because Hitz saved on the line (32') before Augsburg suddenly had the chance to equalise: Koo lost his nerve in a one-on-one with Bayer keeper Leno (33'). Otherwise, it was all Bayer 04 – and they earned their reward before the half-time whistle at 2-0. Chicharito put the ball in the back of the net to score Leverkusen's 900th away goal in the Bundesliga (40,).