
The international break is over. The three Bayer 04 players Piero Hincapie (Ecuador) plus Lucas Alario and Exequiel Palacios (both Argentina) were involved with their national teams in the night from Thursday to Friday – all three remained unbeaten.
Hincapie celebrated picking up a point in a goalless draw between Ecuador and Colombia, which could prove very important for the outcome of the World Cup qualifiers. La Tri are third after 12 games (17 points) – behind Brazil (31) and Argentina (25). As it stands, Ecuador would qualify directly for the tournament in Qatar.
The gap to the play-off position of fifth, currently occupied by Uruguay, is exactly one point. For Hincapie, who played the full 90 minutes, the clash with Colombia was his ninth full international appearance – and his third game with a clean sheet.
Bayer 04 midfielder Exequiel Palacios made his 14th full international appearance last night. The 23-year-old came off the bench late on to replace Giovanni Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur) in the 1-0 win for Argentina against Peru. It was the seventh victory in the eleven qualifying matches for the Albiceleste. Argentina remain unbeaten in the South America group with seven wins and four draws. Lucas Alario, back in the Argentina squad for the first time since his injury, did not play against Peru.

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Bayer 04 Women suffered a setback in the race for third place in the Bundesliga table. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 1-0 at home to direct rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday afternoon, with a penalty after two minutes deciding the match. With 32 points and a game in hand, TSG have moved above the Werkself, who remain on 31 points. There is now a three-week international break before the remaining seven Bundesliga matches.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Loïc Badé for the time being. The Frenchman suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh in Saturday’s 1-0 Bundesliga defeat at FC Union Berlin. The diagnosis was the result of an MRI scan this Sunday morning.
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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.
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