Bayer Leverkusen needed three extra-time goals to reach the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal as they edged a thrilling tie against 10-man Paderborn 4-2 on Wednesday.

Having seen Alejandro Grimaldo's stunning free-kick cancelled out by Stefano Marino's header, Leverkusen came from a goal down in additional time at Home Deluxe Arena to progress in sensational style. 

A lacklustre opening period burst into life when half-time substitute Christian Kofane was brought down by Felix Gotze, with the Paderborn captain sent off for a last-man foul, and Grimaldo beautifully dispatched the resulting free-kick into the top-left corner.

Not deterred by going a man down, Paderborn continued to push for an equaliser, and only an Edmond Tapsoba clearance off the line denied Marino's glancing header late on. 

But their persistence was rewarded from the following corner-kick, with Marino flicking in Raphael Obermair's inviting delivery in at Mark Flekken's near post in the 90th minute. 

Leverkusen almost snatched it at the death, with Markus Schubert producing a remarkable save to deny Ibrahim Maza at the back post before Robert Andrich fired narrowly wide as extra-time loomed. 

Just six minutes into extra time, Sven Michel fired Paderborn in front despite the best efforts of Flekken, who had repelled the striker's initial effort moments earlier, though Leverkusen quickly responded when Jarell Quansah turned home Ernest Poku's cross. 

And with the game ticking past 120 minutes, Maza collected Kofane's ball into the area before smashing home into the bottom-right corner, before Aleix Garcia sealed the win from just inside the Paderborn half after goalkeeper Schubert had gone up for a corner at the other end. 

Data Debrief: Super subs make the difference

Leverkusen were known for their late heroics under former boss Xabi Alonso, but they repeated the trick here in simply stunning fashion, largely down to their substitutes, who contributed to two of their three goals in that chaotic period of extra-time. 

It was a game that amassed a whopping 46 shots between either side (18 for Paderborn, 28 for Leverkusen), with Hjulmand's side registering an expected goals (xG) total of 3.78 from their efforts to 1.39 from their opponents' attempts. 

But Poku's introduction proved imperative to Leverkusen's turnaround. Despite only being sent on at half-time for Eliesse Ben Seghir, he created more chances (five) and attempted more dribbles (eight) than any of his team-mates.