Nigeria international Victor Boniface was on target as Xabi Alonso’s 2023-24 champions Bayer Leverkusen confirmed their place in football immortality by becoming the first-ever side to last a Bundesliga season unbeaten after a narrow final-day win over Augsburg on Saturday.

Leverkusen did not let up in the slightest since sealing the Bundesliga title, and they relished the chance to complete the campaign unbeaten. The champions soon took the kind of command we have been so used to seeing, as they passed the ball around with verve and tested the limits of the visiting defence.

Their hunger to make even more history showed in the opening goal, as Amine Adli raced across to fling the ball away from the feet of hesitant goalkeeper Tomas Koubek for Victor Boniface to tap in.

Midfield general Robert Andrich added a delightful second goal, leaping to backheel a Jonathan Tah shot from a corner past Koubek.Little changed in the pattern of play after the restart as the hosts calmly played the ball around looking to add to their goal tally.

Jonas Hofmann hammered an effort just over from outside the box before Adli drew a save from Koubek. Augsburg continued to seek a goal, with Arne Engels hitting a free-kick into the wall and Niklas Dorsch smashing over from distance. 18-year-old Mert Komur then produced a magic moment on his Bundesliga debut, profiting from a loss of possession by Leverkusen in their own half to curl a drive into the top corner.

Despite Augsburg’s best efforts, a victorious final chapter was closed on a season in which invincible Leverkusen achieved football immortality – giving the fans one more reason to cheer as they prepared to see their heroes lift the Meisterschale on the pitch.