Argentina got started straight away in the opening game of the Copa América in the USA. The Albiceleste got up and running with a 2-0 win over Canada in Atlanta, Georgia. Julian Álvarez broke the deadlock in the 49th minute, before Lautaro Martínez made it 2-0 in the 88th minute after an assist from Lionel Messi. Exequiel Palacios didn't feature in the encounter.
With three points in the bag, Argentina assume top spot in Group A after Matchday 1. Behind them on one point are Chile, Argentina's second opponents, and Peru, their opponents in the third and final group fixture. Chile and Peru drew 0-0 in their opening clash, leaving Canada bottom of the group.
Meanwhile, Piero Hincapie started in Ecuador's first match against Venezuela, but his side had to play with 10 men from the 22nd minute onwards following a red card for striker Enner Valencia. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Ecuador took the lead in the 40th minute, but Venezuela turned the contest around with two goals in the 64th and 74th minute. Hincapie played the full game.
Die Venezolaner stehen nach dem 1. Spieltag auf Platz eins. Mexiko, Ecuadors Gegner im dritten Gruppenspiel, rangiert aufgrund eines 1:0-Auftaktsiegs gegen Jamaika auf dem zweiten Platz. Nach den drittplatzierten Ecuadorianern folgen die Jamaikaner, auf die Hincapie und Co. als nächstes treffen.
THE WERKSELF PLAYERS' MATCHES AT A GLANCE
Exequiel Palacios (Argentina/Group A)
Friday, 21.06., 02:00 CEST: Argentina 2-0 Canada (DAZN)
Wednesday, 26.06., 03:00 CEST: Chile vs Argentina (DAZN)
Sunday, 30.06., 02:00 CEST: Argentina vs Peru (DAZN)
Piero Hincapie (Ecuador/Group B)
Sunday, 23.06., 00:00 CEST: Ecuador 1-2 Venezuela (DAZN)
Thursday, 27.06., 00:00 CEST: Ecuador vs Jamaica (DAZN)
Monday, 01.07., 02:00 CEST: Mexico vs Ecuador (DAZN)
Contribute to a good cause and win something special! The Bayer 04 jersey competition is entering its third round: From 10 October and up to and including 29 November, raffle tickets can be purchased for five euros each at the Fanwelt on the south side of the BayArena for the chance to win one of two signed away jerseys. The proceeds from the raffle will be donated to Tafel Leverkusen e.V. as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations.
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A strong and successful partnership that will be continued: Bayer 04 and Energieversorgung Leverkusen GmbH & Co. KG (EVL) have extended their contract for energy supply and related services until 30 June 2027. As part of this, EVL will continue to hold the naming rights to the family section at the BayArena.
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The second international break of the 2025/26 season will begin after the Bundesliga match against Union Berlin (Saturday, 4 October, 15:30 CEST). Werkself players are in action in the next qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The latest information on call-ups.
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