As in the first group game against Portugal, Chicharito was in the starting eleven against Russia in Kazan. The record scorer was the lynch pin of his team for the full 90 minutes. Although he didn’t score, he did create a number of chances and could have made it 3-1 with a header. The match was a close-fought affair with Mexico maintaining the upper hand and they were not put off course when Russia opened the scoring.
Mexico moved above Russia to finish second behind European Champions Portugal and thereby progress to the semi-finals where they will meet the other group winner in Sochi on Wednesday. That could be Germany if they beat Cameroon in the final group match in Sochi on Sunday.
The Germany U21s were in action in Poland. Although they lost 1-0 to Italy in Krakow that result was enough to take Germany through to the U21 European Championship semi-finals. Dominik Kohr, who returns to the Werkself for the start of next season, did not play.
Four Leverkusen players are involved in matches on Sunday:
Bernd Leno, Benjamin Henrichs and Julian Brandt are in the Germany squad for final group match in the Confederations Cup against Cameroon at 17:00 CET. Charles Aránguiz and Chile face Asian champions Australia at the same time. Both games are live on TV.
Day four of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour is all about the Werkself friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team. Before the kick-off at the Estádio da Gávea today, Friday, 18 July, at 14:30 local time (19:30 CEST), the Werkself players will warm-up at the team hotel. In addition: A communal evening event with a view of the famous landmark in Rio de Janeiro. Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on the spot reports. Day four blog on the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings in local time).
Show moreThe Werkself lost 5-1 against the Flamengo U20 team in the first pre-season friendly ahead of the 2025/26 season. The scorers for the Brazilian team, playing in the middle of their season, were Lorran (3’), an Arthur own goal (11’), Matheus Goncalves (40’), Pedro Leao (45+4’) and Gusttavo (55’). Head coach Erik ten Hag made several substitutions on 30 minutes and he made ten more changes on the hour mark. The Werkself were then more proactive on the pitch with the input from Granit Xhaka, Robert Andrich and Co. bringing significantly more attacking moves that led to a number of chances. Montrell Culbreath netted a consolation strike on 71 minutes for the final score of 5-1.
Show moreA first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreThe current Werkself player Arthur, global star Vinícius Júnior and Brazil legend Zico – they all played for the youth teams at CR Flamengo. The U20 team at the big club from Rio de Janeiro is one of the best academies in Brazil and has produced a lot of stars as well as securing national and international trophies over the past few years. Ahead of the friendly against the Werkself today, Friday 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) bayer04.de profiles the highly successful youth team.
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