And the tricky Werkself winger also showed his ability in the air: Joshua Kimmich put the ball into the box and Brandt made the most of his opportunity to score with a flying header. "It was obviously a sensational feeling. I really enjoyed it. It's always an honour to play for the national side. It gives you goose bumps," said a euphoric Julian after the match in Nuremberg.
Leno and Henrichs on the bench
In a predictably one-sided encounter the TSG Hoffenheim striker Sandro Wagner scored a hat-trick. The other goals were netted by captain Julian Draxler, Armin Younes and Shkodran Mustafi. With six wins in Group C the world champions Germany can almost start planning for next year’s tournament in Russia. Bernd Leno did not play as Joachim Löw opted instead for Mark-Andre Ter Stegen in goal. Benjamin Henrichs was also on the bench. After a short break, the Bayer 04 trio are set head off to Russia on Tuesday with the Germany squad. The Confederations Cup sees Germany start with group games against Australia (19 June), Chile (22 June) and Cameroon (25 June).
Mehmedi and Chicharito on road to victory
Other Bayer 04 players have been on international duty at the weekend. Admir Mehmedi was in the Swiss team for the 2-0 win against the Faroe Isles on Friday night. The Bayer 04 striker was substituted on 62 minutes. Just like Germany, Switzerland are unbeaten at the top of Group B with six wins from six games. European Champions Portugal are three points behind. Bayer 04 striker Chicharito and Mexico are still on course to qualify for the World Cup: The Mexicans beat Honduras 3-0 early on Friday morning Central European Time. Chicha did not play. That will probably change in the prestigious match against the USA on Monday at 3.30 CET. The Mexicans are way ahead in their group with 13 points from five matches.
Austria and Finland in action
Bayer 04 pros Julian Baumgartlinger and Aleksandar Dragovic are set to line up for Austria away to Ireland on Sunday at 18.00 CET. With seven points from five games the team coached by Marcel Koller have not lived up to expectations. Currently in fourth position, the Austrians need a win in Dublin against second-placed Ireland on eleven points to be in with a chance of qualifying for the World Cup.
Hopes of participation in the World Cup are as good as over for Finland and Bayer 04 striker Joel Pohjanpalo. However, in spite of just one point from five games Scandinavians are looking to register a first win in the home match against Ukraine (18.00 CET).
As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
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Goalkeeper Anne Moll will leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the end of the season. The 21-year-old will join second-tier club VfL Bochum 1848 when her contract expires on 30 June.
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This Sunday will see the end of a special era at Bayer 04 Women: Kristin Kögel will play for the Werkself for the last time in the final match of the season at home to SV Werder Bremen. After six years in Leverkusen, the 26-year-old midfielder will take on a new challenge abroad from the summer.
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Ahead of the conclusion to the 2025/26 season with the Werkself and the World Cup with Argentina, Bayer 04 midfielder Exequiel Palacios answered questions from journalists from the Latin America region. In a digital media round, the 27-year-old, who's been in Leverkusen since 2020, spoke about the "great development potential" in the current Werkself squad as well as his World Cup ambitions with the Albiceleste, among other things.
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