Back
8.06.2018Bayer 04

Germany win at the BayArena

Germany beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 at the BayArena in the final friendly ahead of the World Cup finals in Russia (14 June to 15 July). Julian Brandt came on after 73 minutes to earn his sixteenth cap for Germany.
20180608_Schueler_GER_2128.jpg

"We started pretty well in the first half. We eased off in the second," said Germany coach Joachim Löw after the match. A lot of chances were missed and the opponents had too many. "But we'll be livelier and more dynamic and play with more power in next week's World Cup opener against Mexico."

A sell-out 30,210 crowd provided an atmospheric setting at the BayArena, with lots of families, children and teenagers getting behind Germany. The hosts took the lead after just eight minutes with Timo Werner scoring the opener after good work by  Joshua Kimmich and Marco Reus. Germany made a promising start and dominated proceedings early on but then were careless and not always sharp up front. Saudi Arabia, who face Russia in the opening game of the World Cup on 14 June, came close to equalising. After the German woodwork was hit twice, the hosts doubled the lead before the break with an own goal from Hawsawi (43').

Julian Brandt replaced Thomas Müller on 73 minutes and he had a good chance to make it 3-0 two minutes later but he failed to connect properly with a whipped-in cross from Mario Gomez. The Saudis pulled  a goal back with five minutes to play. Marc André ter Stegen saved a penalty taken by Al-Sahlawi but Al-Jassim was able to net the rebound.

The match against Saudi Arabia was the eighth international to be played at Leverkusen. Germany have a good record here with seven wins and one draw.

Germany set off for Russia at the start of the week. The holders of the World Cup meet Mexico (17 June), Sweden (23 June) and South Korea (27 June) in Group F.

Related News

Rudi Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.03.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn’s March highlights

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…

Show more
Fanclub-Ehrung mit Fernando Carro in der Halbzeit
Fans - 28.02.2026

Bayer 04 honour six fan clubs for decades of loyalty at Mainz game

From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.

Show more
Sondertrikot
Bayer 04 - 28.02.2026

Love that lasts a lifetime. Bayer 04 present special edition jersey marking 50th anniversary of fan clubs Under the Cross

It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04M05
Bundesliga - 28.02.2026

Matchday news #B04M05: Special jersey on fan club matchday

There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.

Show more
Bayer04_Arsenal_London_2526.jpg
Champions League - 27.02.2026

Tickets for the Champions League Round of 16 home game against Arsenal

The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.

Show more