
Brandt earned his eleventh full international cap in Prague. The Werkself number ten was replaced by Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea) on 61 minutes in a tactical switch. Joachim Löw’s team secured their lead at the top of Group C against the neighbours in third place with goals from Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) and Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich). The two Bayer 04 pros Bernd Leno and Benjamin Henrichs, who were also in the squad, did not play. They may feature against Norway in Stuttgart on Monday (20.45 CET). Earlier in the evening, Jonathan Tah and the Germany U21s lost 2-1 to Hungary in a friendly. The captain of Germany's junior side played the first 45 minutes in central defence.
Six other Bayer 04 players appeared in qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Bayer 04 new signing Panagiotis Retsos had two reasons to celebrate on Thursday: First came the official announcement of the 19-year-old signing for the Werkself and then, in the evening, the central defender made his international deputy for Greece (Group H) in a 0-0 draw against Estonia and he played the full 90 minutes.
The friendly between the Germany U19 side and Switzerland also ended goalless. Kai Havertz, Sam Schreck and Atakan Akkaynak were in the Germany team.
Admir Mehmedi and Switzerland clocked up a 3-0 victory over Andorra to maintain their position at the top of Group E.
Charles Aránguiz was out of luck in South America. The Werkself's Chilean international played in a surprising 3-0 defeat against Paraguay. The 28-year-old went the full distance and he also picked up a yellow card.
Julian Baumgartlinger is set to play for Austria in Group D on Saturday against Wales who are equal on points. Vladlen Yurchenko and the Ukraine face Turkey, level on points in fourth place in Group I.

The thrilling 3-1 win for Bayer 04 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Hinrunde is a fond memory for Alejandro Grimaldo, with his brace from free kicks, and coach Kasper Hjulmand, who was in the dugout under the Cross for the first time. Now comes the return fixture in the metropolis on the River Main and after going out of the DFB Pokal and the Champions League, the full focus at Eintracht, currently managed by two interim coaches, is now on the Bundesliga. For their part, the Werkself will do everything in their power to continue the longest winning run against a Bundesliga club. The matchday news.
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Bayer 04 have ended Artem Stepanov’s loan deal at Nürnberg and agreed a new loan to Utrecht in the Netherlands. The Ukrainian striker did not play as much as hoped for at the Bundesliga 2 club and will now continue his development in the Eredivisie for the rest of 2025/26.
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After back-to-back wins at home, Bayer 04 are now out for their first away win of 2026 as they visit Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (15:30 CET). Ahead of the Matchday 20 fixture in the Bundesliga, Kasper Hjulmand spoke about renewed confidence, Frankfurt’s recent issues and Patrik Schick’s form so far this year.
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Eintracht Frankfurt are yet to win a game in 2026 and have managed only one victory in their last 12 competitive fixtures. Having already been eliminated from the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League, the Eagles are now focusing solely on the Bundesliga as they seek to get their season back on track with the visit of the Werkself on Saturday afternoon. Here’s the lowdown on our next opponents…
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