Mexico made a bright start to the game but were initially unable to create any clear-cut chances. In contrast, Portugal looked flat at first but it was the European Champions who had the first opportunity: A volley from Cristiano Ronaldo crashed against the bar on 21 minutes and Pepe was on hand to put the rebound in the net. The goal was ruled out following an intervention by the video referee. The Portuguese upped their game and their efforts were rewarded on 34 minutes when Quaresma opened the scoring. The Mexicans refused to give up and Chicharito levelled before the break with a wonderful flying header on 41 minutes.
The second half proved to be dour before coming to life again in the closing stages: Cedric made it 2-1 for Portugal on 86 minutes but the tireless Mexicans hit back as the European Champions appeared to be certain of winning the game. The central defender Moreno netted a deserved equaliser in added time. Chicharito played the full 90 minutes and he is set to play again on Wednesday at 20.00 CET when Mexico take on New Zealand.
Chile score late on against Cameroon
Charles Aránguiz, former Leverkusen player Arturo Vidal and La Roja started the game, as expected, with a dominant and aggressive approach. They succeeded in creating a number of chances in the opening minutes. There were plenty of goalscoring opportunities in the match as Cameroon showed their strength in counter-attacks and set pieces. However, the ball did not end up in the back of the net until added time in the first half. Vargas put away a diagonal ball from Vidal but the celebrations were cut short. Video evidence proved that Vargas was just offside.
The two sides competed on equal terms after the restart as Cameroon were significantly livelier. At the same time, neither side was able to finish. Chile only found their scoring boots in the closing stages of the match: Vidal scored with a header on 81 minutes and, in added time, Vargas doubled the lead after Sanchez failed to score. Aránguiz was substituted on 71 minutes and his next outing is a special match on Thursday at 20.00 CET against his team-mates Leno, Henrichs and Brandt.
Bernd Leno in goal against Australia
Germany play their first game in the tournament in Russia on Monday evening at 17.00 CET. At the press conference on Saturday, Joachim Löw confirmed Bernd Leno will be in goal against Australia for his fifth international cap. The Germany coach also has two other Bayer 04 players available in Benjamin Henrichs and Julian Brandt.
U21s beat Czech Republic in opener
The Germany U21 side started their European Championship finals on Sunday. Max Meyer scored the first goal against the Czech Republic on 44 minutes before Serge Gnabry made it 2-0 after the restart. Germany could have won by a bigger margin with Davie Selke missing a penalty. Dominik Kohr did not play. The next group match is against Denmark on Wednesday night at 20.45 CET.
The Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Senegalese central defender Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga side from Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken. Faye has penned a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030.
Show moreThe German Football League (DFL) has published the fixture list for the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. Bayer 04 start the new season with a home game against TSG Hoffenheim. The first away game for the Werkself is at Werder Bremen. The final Bundesliga fixture is on 16 May 2026 against newly promoted Hamburg SV with a 15:30 CEST kick-off at the BayArena.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have given offensive player Paulina Bartz a long-term contract. The 20-year-old has penned a new deal to 30 June 2027.
Show moreGermany international Florian Wirtz has been voted Bayer 04 ‘Player of the Season’ for the second time in a row. The 21-year-old, who will play for Premier League champions Liverpool next season, received more than half of all votes cast in the annual poll organised by Bayer 04.
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