Jonas Hofmann struck twice in quick succession as Bayer Leverkusen secured a 2-0 victory over OFI Crete in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Carles Martínez’s side scored both goals during a dominant spell in the first half, with Hofmann finding the net in the 35th and 37th minutes to put the visitors firmly in control. Leverkusen subsequently managed the game well to secure another three points and maintain their perfect start to the competition.

Leverkusen initially had to be patient against an OFI side that started brightly in front of their home supporters. Both teams created opportunities during the opening stages, with goalkeepers at either end called into action to keep the score level.

Hofmann came close to opening the scoring with a powerful effort from distance in the 19th minute, but OFI goalkeeper Lilo produced an impressive save. The hosts continued to threaten from set-pieces, although they struggled to turn their promising start into clear-cut opportunities.

Leverkusen gradually grew into the contest and began to exploit the spaces between OFI’s defensive and midfield lines. Hofmann was denied again in the 31st minute, while Patrik Schick saw his follow-up effort cleared off the line after the home goalkeeper had initially saved.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 35th minute. Afonso Moreira unleashed a powerful shot from distance, and although Lilo managed to parry the effort, Hofmann reacted quickest to convert the rebound from close range.

The German midfielder doubled his tally just two minutes later to put Leverkusen in a commanding position. Malik Tillman laid the ball into Hofmann’s path, allowing the midfielder to unleash a first-time strike from around 17 metres that flew into the bottom-left corner.

Leverkusen continued to dictate proceedings after taking the lead, with Moreira going close to adding a third before the interval. The visitors went into the break with a deserved two-goal advantage after a decisive spell that left OFI struggling to contain their attacking threat.

The hosts attempted to respond after the restart and created an opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 53rd minute. Konstantinos Kostoulas found space near the right corner of the penalty area before testing Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, who produced a fine save to preserve his side’s clean sheet.

Leverkusen remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Hofmann testing Lilo again in the 50th minute. Aleix García also threatened after being teed up by Hofmann, but his effort from inside the penalty area was too central to trouble the OFI goalkeeper.

García tried his luck from the halfway line shortly afterwards after spotting Lilo away from his goal, although his ambitious attempt sailed over the crossbar.

Despite those opportunities, Leverkusen were unable to add to their first-half advantage. Martínez’s side nevertheless remained in control as the contest progressed, limiting OFI’s opportunities to mount a sustained comeback.

The final stages saw Leverkusen protect their advantage, with Hofmann’s first-half double ultimately proving decisive in Crete.

The result extends Leverkusen’s winning run in the Europa League to three matches following their victories over Celje and Lech Poznań. Having already scored six goals without conceding in their opening two fixtures, the German side continued their impressive European form with another clean-sheet victory.