Germany got off to a perfect start against Nigeria in front of a 40,000 crowd in Sao Paulo. In the ninth minute of the game Max Mayer did great work in setting up Lukas Klostermann for a tap-in to open the scoring.
The lead gave the team coached by Horst Hrubesch confidence and they pressed forward with purpose. Nigeria continued to pose a threat and their first chance came after a mistake by the keeper Timo Horn who played the ball to the feet of Umar on 12 minutes. The FC Köln shot-stopper made amends straight away to block Umar’s shot.
Then it was Germany’s turn at the other end with Lars Bender having a chance on goal on 20 minutes. Niklas Süle put the Werkself skipper through but the goalkeeper Daniel was able to make the save. Other efforts on goal before the break from Meyer, with a long-range strike that went just over the target, and a shot from Selke from a Lars Bender cross went rewarded.
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel had a decent chance for Nigeria on the half-hour mark but Germany conceded little at the back.
Germany had the better of the exchanges at the start of the second 45. Daniel first made a fingertip save from a shot from Gnabry on 48 minutes and Selke missed from a promising position a minute later. In spite of being behind, Nigeria were unable to make headway up front. Germany continued to have the better chances. Again and again Gnabry was on the ball but his final touch deserted the striker on the night.
Petersen seals it
The pace of the game was reduced in the second half. But Horst Hrubesch’s team remained solid at the back to deny Nigeria any openings. And then Germany mounted a decisive counter attack. Brandt put Selke through on the right flank and his cross found Nils Petersen with the substitute able to convert from a tight angle. That was the decider and Germany were soon able to celebrate their victory.
Krahn aiming for gold
The Germany women’s team, including Bayer 04 player Annike Krahn, are also through to their final. Led by coach Silvia Neid, the German team secured a 2-0 win against Canada on Tuesday night and are certain of a silver medal at least. Krahn played in central defence as usual and can now look forward to Friday night’s final (22.30 CET) against Sweden. The Scandinavians beat hosts Brazil on penalties in the other semi-final.
Kießling trains again
There was also a good reason to be happy at the BayArena: Stefan Kießling is back in training. The Werkself striker took part in team training on Tuesday and Wednesday and was in positive mood with fans after the session. His team-mates are busy preparing for the first competitive match of the new season. Bayer 04 are away to SC Hauenstein in the DFB Cup on Sunday (15.30 CET). The match is being played in Pirmasens.
Happy birthday, Jorginho
A familiar face from the past celebrated their birthday on Wednesday: Jorginho is 52. The Brazilian played for Bayer 04 from 1989 to 1992 making 87 Bundesliga appearances before moving on to FC Bayern. Jorginho is now the coach at Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 put in a brilliant performance to beat RB Leipzig 4-1 on Bundesliga matchday 32 and are now fourth in a Champions League spot. The Black and Reds took control of the game right from the start and, with 75 per cent possession at one stage, took a 2-0 lead into the break through Patrik Schick (25’) and Nathan Tella (45+1’). The visitors initially tried to do more after the break, but the Werkself remained determined and Schick scored his second goal to increase the lead to 3-0 (76'). The Red Bulls pulled a goal back through Christoph Baumgartner (80'), but the disciplined Leverkusen side were not rattled - and certainly not Schick: The Czechia international crowned a brilliant display with his third goal shortly before the final whistle to make the final score 4-1.
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In the previous game against RB Leipzig in December last year, the Werkself turned came from behind to win 3-1 and further improved Leverkusen's already strong record against the Red Bulls. Montrell Culbreath stood out with his first goal on his debut for the Black and Reds. While the 18-year-old would certainly like to score a second goal against Leipzig on Saturday night, the attack-minded visitors come to the BayArena in confident mood after five Bundesliga victories in a row. The Nordkurve12 supporters group knows the Werkself will therefore once again be reliant on the vociferous support of the fans, and has once again called for the ‘Finally Red’ campaign in the run-in. Today’s matchday news.
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Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the German Football League (DFL), announced the top male and female selections for the 2025/26 Bundesliga season this week. Bayer 04 striker Vanessa Fudalla is in the starting eleven of the women's "Team of the Season". Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia have been selected as bench players in the men's team.
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