Ahead of the match in Gelsenkirchen it was clear the result would not affect Germany's position in Group A1: The 2-0 win for Holland against World Cup winners France on Friday condemned Germany to relegation to Group B in the European competition. That meant the final group match against the team from the Netherlands was primarily a matter of prestige as the visitors only needed a draw to secure top spot in the group.
Germany were on the front foot from the start and deservedly took a 2-0 lead with goals from Timo Werner (9') and Leroy Sané (19'). Through to the final stage of the game the hosts created a large number of chances but failed to extend their lead. Somewhat out of the blue, Holland pulled a goal back with five minutes to play with an unstoppable shot from Quincy Promes. The game changed from that point and the Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk levelled in added time. In contrast to the friendly against Russia on Thursday Julian Brandt, Kai Havertz and Jonathan Tah did not add to the international caps as they watched the match from the bench.
Germany failed to register a win in the first Nations League campaign and now have to hope that Portugal beat Poland on Tuesday to ensure a seeding at the top of a group for the Euro qualifiers. Thanks to a superior goal difference, Holland go through the finals as group winners ahead of France.
Jakub Bednarczyk was on the winning side on Monday night as the Poland U20s beat their contemporaries from Ukraine 2-1 in a friendly. The 19-year-old started at right back in the match in Bielitz-Biala – and he was involved in the opening goal for his team with a cross that led to a penalty. The Werkself number 32 had to go off on 33 minutes after picking up a knock.
In the final international break of the year, the last two players from Heiko Herrlich's squad are in action on Tuesday: Issac Kiese Thelin (for Sweden against Russia) and Paulinho (with the Brazil U20s against Colombia).
The Werkself fell to defeat in their final friendly match of pre-season. The Black and Reds suffered a 2-0 (H-T: 1-0) defeat at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge. The hosts scored the first goal early on, with Estevao converting a rebound off the crossbar in the 18th minute. The second half was dominated by numerous substitutions on both sides, but the Blues still managed to increase their lead in the closing stages through Joao Pedro, who made it 2-0 in stoppage time (90’+1).
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen fans can look forward to a new catering concept at Werkself home games in the BayArena from summer 2026 onwards. Full-service caterer Aramark will be responsible for catering in the public and hospitality areas of the Leverkusen stadium and in the Schwadbud from the start of the 2026/27 season. In addition, the Frankfurt-based company will also provide catering for all conferences and other events at the BayArena.
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Bundesliga club Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be without first team squad members Exequiel Palacios and Jonas Hofmann for the time being. Both players suffered injuries to their left hamstrings during Tuesday's 3-0 friendly victory against newly promoted Italian Serie A side, Pisa SC.
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The last friendly ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season takes Bayer 04 to England: The Werkself are away to Club World Cup winners Chelsea on Friday, 8 August (kick-off: 20:00 CEST). The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team brings you the latest information on the fixture at Stamford Bridge in London…
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