Perfect support for the Germany U21s arrived a few minutes before kick-off in the Euro qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Fürth: Underdogs Moldova secured a surprise win against Belgium who had been top of Group 9 up to that point. And the team under coach Stefan Kuntz knew how to make the most of the situation shortly after that. Lukas Nmecha (RSC Anderlecht) scored the opening goal on the half-hour mark.
While Lennart Grill went the full distance between the sticks and again kept a clean sheet after the 5-0 win against Moldova four days ago, Florian Wirtz went off injured after 26 minutes. “He had problems with his stomach muscles in a different place. We agreed to always be open with each other and that’s why we took him off early as a precaution,” said Germany coach Kuntz about the youngest Germany U21 international of all time.
Germany end the qualifiers on 17 November against Wales with everything in their own hands. A draw could be enough to qualify for the European Championships as the group winners are joined in the finals in Slovenia and Hungary by the five best second-placed teams.
The senior Germany team entertained Switzerland in the Nations League on Tuesday night. The team under coach Joachim Löw were already two goals down after 26 minutes but Timo Werner pulled one back just before the break to make it 2-1 at half-time. Former Werkself player Kai Havertz levelled shortly after the restart and Serge Gnabry scored on the hour mark to equalise at 3-3. The Leverkusen player Jonathan Tah did not come on against Switzerland.
Germany have three games in the international break in November. Against the Czech Republic and Ukraine in Leipzig before the clash with Spain in the Nations League.
Vital points have been at stake in South America in the race to qualify for the World Cup. After beating Ecuador, Argentina were away to Bolivia on Tuesday night. Bayer 04 player Exequiel Palacios, like the captain Lionel Messi, played the full 90 minutes as La Albiceleste registered their next victory: ‘Pala’ and Co. won 2-1 in La Paz. Lucas Alario did not play.
Like Palacios, the Werkself captain Charles Aránguiz was also on the pitch for 90 minutes at the end of this international break. After the opening defeat in Uruguay, Chile picked up a first point with a 2-2 draw against Colombia.
Like Grill and Wirtz, Moussa Diaby was in action for France looking to qualify for the Euro finals next year – and that was secured with a 1-0 home win against Slovakia. Diaby, who recovered from a minor foot injury from the Stuttgart game (3 October), was substituted on 76 minutes.
Werkself central defender Edmond Tapsoba has been playing in Africa: The 21-year-old went the full distance in a 2-1 win for Burkina Faso in a friendly against Madagascar on Monday night.
Aleksandar Dragovic and Julian Baumgartlinger (Austria):
Wednesday, 14 October (20.45 CEST/live on DAZN): Romania v Austria (UEFA Nations League)
Lukas Hradecky (Finland):
Wednesday, 14 October (18.00 CEST/live on DAZN): Finland v Ireland (UEFA Nations League)
Tin Jedvaj (Croatia):
Wednesday, 14 October (20.45 CEST/live on DAZN): Croatia v France (UEFA Nations League)
St. Pauli are the visitors to Leverkusen for today’s 3.30pm CET kick-off on Matchday 13 in the Bundesliga, with some 3,000 fans from Hamburg coming to a sold-out BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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For the first time in 13 years, Bayer 04 welcome St. Pauli to the BayArena this Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CET). The promoted side have shown so far that that are a tough nut to crack, while last week’s first home win of the season proves they have potential in attack. Here’s all you need to know about our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Women produced an excellent performance to beat Wolfsburg 1-0 at home on Friday night and knock the She-Wolves off top spot in the Google Pixel Bundesliga as the season reached its halfway stage. Cornelia Kramer got the only goal early in the second half in front of a crowd of 1,510 at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. The result makes it five straight wins in all competitions for Leverkusen, who go top overnight on 26 points – the best total in the club’s history from the first half of a Bundesliga season – ahead of the DFB Pokal holders with 25.
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