International updates: Poku with a brace - Ben Seghir qualifies for World Cup

+++ 09/09: Argentina concede defeat +++

Although the Albiceleste lost 1-0 to direct rivals Ecuador on Wednesday night, they still have a nine-point lead over the runners-up. They are even 18 points off seventh place, which would deny them direct participation in next year's World Cup finals. Exequiel Palacios did not play against Ecuador and Claudio Echeverri was not in the matchday squad.

+++ 09/09: Top match without goals for Burkina Faso around Tapsoba +++

Edmond Tapsoba and his compatriots from Burkina Faso end the international break unbeaten. After a comfortable 6-0 win against bottom-placed Djibouti, they finished with a goalless draw against group leaders Egypt led by Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush, who successfully kept Tapsoba and Co. away from their own goal.

+++ 09/09: Poku nets twice for Netherlands U21s +++

A successful Monday night for Bayer 04 new signing Ernest Poku: The winger scored both goals - both in the second half - in the Dutch U21 team's 2-2 draw with Israel's U21s in Venlo.

+++ 09/09: England maintain winning run +++

This result is something to be proud of: England won game number five in Group K of the European World Cup qualifiers - and once again without conceding a goal. They clocked up a 5-0 victory in Serbia. Werkself newcomer Jarell Quansah was in the squad but did not play.

+++ 08/09.: Algeria keep chasing pack at bay +++

First a 3-1 win against Botswana on Thursday, then a goalless draw - without Leverkusen's new signing Ibrahim Maza on the pitch - against the top team from Guinea on Monday. The point gained on the night ensures that Algeria are now four points clear of second and third place in World Cup qualifying Group G.

+++ 08/09.: Ben Seghir in the starting XI for next Morocco win +++

Morocco, who have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup finals, have notched up another victory in the African qualifiers. After beating Niger 5-0 three days ago, Morocco also triumphed against Zambia on Monday. Bayer 04 new signing Eliesse Ben Seghir started in the 2-0 win and played for the first 73 minutes.

+++ 08/09.: Schick comes on in drawn friendly +++

A few days after the important 2-0 victory in the World Cup qualifier against Montenegro, with Werkself player Patrik Schick in the starting eleven, Czechia faced Saudi Arabia in a friendly on Monday night. Schick came off the bench on 64 minutes in a 1-1 draw.

+++ 08/09.: Tape scores for France U19s +++

The second friendly against Ireland also ended in victory for the France U19 side with Bayer 04 youngster Axel Tape finding the back of the net on 57 minutes.

+++ 07/09.: Former Leverkusen duo seal Germany win +++

Germany also played their second match of the World Cup qualifiers last night. The team led by coach Julian Nagelsmann got off to a good start against Northern Ireland and led 1-0 after seven minutes but conceded an equaliser on 34 minutes. In the second half, the two former Bayer 04 players Nadiem Amiri (69') and Florian Wirtz, from a direct free-kick (72'), scored to make the final score 3-1. Robert Andrich did not play in the match. After the first two qualifying matches, Germany are third in Group A behind Slovakia (6 points) and Northern Ireland (3 points). In fourth place are Luxembourg, who Germany will face in the next international break in October.

+++ 07/09.: Next three points for Spain +++

A resounding victory for the European champions! After Spain beat Bulgaria 3-0 last Thursday, another more convincing win followed yesterday. In their second game of the World Cup qualifiers, with Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia not involved, La Furia Roja clocked up a 6-0 victory over Turkey. The scoreline was 3-0 at half-time. Spain lead Group E with six points, while Georgia (3 points) are in second place ahead of Turkey (3 points) and Bulgaria (0 points)

+++ 07/09.: Flekken's Dutch team win against Lithuania +++

The Netherlands registered a 3-2 win against Lithuania in their fourth World Cup qualifier in Group G last night, with Mark Flekken missing out. The Oranje lead the table level on points with Poland, but they have a better goal difference. Flekken and Co. have also played one game less so far.

+++ 06/09: England get job done against Andorra +++

England are still yet to drop points or concede a goal in World Cup qualifying. The Three Lions maintained their perfect record in Group K with a comfortable if unspectacular 2-0 win over minnows Andorra in the fourth match. Without Bayer 04 summer signing Jarell Quansah in the matchday squad, an own goal and a strike from Arsenal's Declan Rice either side of half-time were enough. England conclude this international break with a trip to closest pursuers Serbia on Tuesday.

+++ 05/09: Morocco with Ben Seghir qualify for 2026 World Cup +++

What a night for Werkself new signing Eliesse Ben Seghir and his Moroccan teammates: The 5-0 win against Niger, with the Leverkusen player on from the start up to 67 minutes, was not only the sixth victory in the sixth qualifier, but also meant that the team was guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup! Congratulations, Eliesse!

+++ 05/09: Czech Republic with Schick secure important three points +++

An immensely important victory: Czechia, with Bayer 04 striker Patrik Schick in the starting XI, beat Montenegro 2-0. Thanks to this away win, Schick and Co. kept their direct rivals at bay and have a good chance of qualifying for the World Cup. A friendly against Saudi Arabia follows in the current international break.

+++ 05/09: A resounding victory with Tapsoba on target +++

A clean sheet at the back and clinical finishing up front: Edmond Tapsoba led Burkina Faso to a 6-0 victory against Djibouti. The Werkself player set up the first goal and increased the score to 4-0 with a brace before the break. The defender left the field after 73 minutes following a top performance. Burkina Faso stay second in Group A and remain on course in the qualifiers. Tapsoba and Co. are two points behind Egypt with one more game to play and currently on course to qualify for the World Cup in second place. The next game for Burkina Faso is the top-of-the-table clash against Egypt.

+++ 05/09: Palacios and Argentina still lead +++

Argentina played their penultimate match of the South American World Cup qualifiers, which are played in a league system with a single table, on Thursday night. The Albiceleste celebrated a 3:0 victory against Venezuela. While Claudio Echeverri did not play, Exequiel Palacios came off the bench on 74 minutes with the score at 1-0. Two minutes after coming on as a substitute, Lautaro Martinez made it 2-0. Four minutes later, Lionel Messi, who had also scored the first goal, wrapped up the scoring. With 38 points and a ten-point lead over Brazil, the already qualified Argentinians remain top of the South American table. The final match on Wednesday, 10 September, will be against fourth-placed Ecuador, led by former Leverkusen player Piero Hincapie, who drew 0-0 with Paraguay.

+++ 04/09: Algeria with Maza still on course for the World Cup +++

Algeria had an extremely successful evening: The clear leaders of Group G in the African World Cup qualifiers increased their already strong chances of qualifying for the World Cup after their 3-1 victory over Botswana, in which Bayer 04 new signing Ibrahim Maza did not play. With 18 points from a possible 21, they are currently six points clear of their nearest rivals Mozambique, who have played one game less. Four of the nine best group runners-up in the African World Cup qualifiers also qualify for the World Cup finals.

+++ 04/09: Germany lose in Slovakia +++

Unlike Spain, Germany failed to get off to a winning start in their World Cup qualifying campaign. They suffered a 2-0 defeat in Slovakia. Werkself captain Robert Andrich did not feature. In a first, Germany lost on the road in the World Cup qualifiers for the first time ever - previously there had been 42 wins and ten draws. The next opponents on Sunday night in Cologne are Northern Ireland, who beat Luxembourg 3-1 in their match.

+++ 04/09: European champions live up to their role as favourites +++

European champions Spain have started their World Cup qualifying campaign with a comfortable away win. All three goals in the 3-0 win in Bulgaria were scored before half-time. The Werkself players Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia did not play. The team will continue with the top match in Group E in Turkey, who beat Georgia 3-2.

+++ 04/09: Flekken and Oranje remain top of the table +++

Even though there was no winner in the top match of Group G, the Netherlands remain equal top with Poland after a 1-1 draw in Rotterdam. The visitors equalised in the closing stages of the game after the Oranje had taken an early lead. Bayer 04 keeper Mark Flekken, who did not play, and his teammates are level on points with Poland and Finland at the top of the group, but have played one match less. The next opponents for the Oranje are Lithuania.

Results and fixtures at a glance: