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).
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
Show more
Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Show more
Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
Show more
New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
Show more
