After Brazil and Argentina, the two biggest football nations in South America, Uruguay and Ecuador sealed their slots at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on the penultimate matchday. La Tri were in Paraguay. Piero Hincapie and Co. went behind to an early goal (10’) and an own goal from the Leverkusen player in added time in the first half ensured a 2-0 deficit at half-time. The third goal was conceded just after the restart with Ecuador scoring a consolation goal towards the end of the game.
As Peru failed to gain any points on this matchday, Hincapie and Co. are certain of a place in the top four. Congratulations, Piero.
The final qualifier is a home game against Argentina with Werkself player Exequiel Palacios in the squad. While La Albiceleste are already certain of finishing second, Ecuador can finish third or fourth. The kick-off on 30 March is at 01.30 CEST.
Chile including Werkself player Charles Aránguiz suffered a setback in the race for qualification for the World Cup: La Roja lost 4-0 to group leaders Brazil and slipped down to seventh place as a result. The Werkself midfielder was in the starting line-up and was substituted with Chile 3-0 down.
With just one game to play, the chances of Aránguiz and Co. qualifying for the play-off position of fifth are rather low: They are currently two points behind. Chile face already qualified Uruguay on the final matchday. The kick-off in the game overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday is at 01.30 CEST.
Amine Adli and the France U21 team secured a 2-0 victory in a friendly against the Faroe Islands. And it was the Leverkusen player who set up Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga to score the opening goal in the middle of the first half (23'). The 21-year-old had to go off injured on 64 minutes. Get well soon, Amine.
Burkina Faso with Werkself player Edmond Tapsoba also played in a friendly against Kosovo. The 23-year-old defender led his team out as captain and he played the full 90 minutes – although he did miss a penalty on 65 minutes with his team 3-0 down. The second friendly in the current international break is against Belgium on Tuesday 29 March the game kicks off at 20.45 CEST.
Iran had already qualified for the World Cup finals ahead of the current international break with Sardar Azmoun and Co. playing in the big match in the Asia Group A. However, the visitors lost 2-0 in South Korea and dropped down to second place. With the Werkself winter signing in the starting line-up, Iran conceded the first goal just before half-time – the former Leverkusen player Heung-min Son netted the opener for South Korea. The game was settled just after the hour mark. Azmoun went off on 88 minutes. Iran play fourth-placed Lebanon in the tenth and final group match in the World Cup qualifiers. The kick-off on Tuesday 29 March is at 13.30 CEST.
Werkself youngster Iker Bravo made a successful start to the U17 European Championship qualifiers with Spain. The 17-year-old striker, who signed for Leverkusen from Barcelona last summer, was in the starting eleven in the 4-1 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was substituted on 78 minutes.
In the other match in Group 4, the Belgium youngsters secured a convincing 8-1 victory over Estonia. Bravo and Co. play Belgium in the top match on Saturday 26 March and three days later is the final game against Estonia. The matches kick off at 15.00 with the games being played in the east of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Jonathan Tah (Germany):
Saturday 26 March: Germany vs Israel (Friendly)
Tuesday 29 March: Netherlands vs Germany (Friendly)
Moussa Diaby (France):
Friday 25 March: France vs Ivory Coast (Friendly)
Tuesday 29 March: France vs South Africa (Friendly)
Lukas Hradecky (Finland):
Saturday 26 March: Finland vs Israel (Friendly)
Tuesday 29 March: Finland vs Slovakia (Friendly)
Exequiel Palacios (Argentina):
Saturday 26 March: Argentina vs Venezuela (World Cup qualifier)
Wednesday 30 March: Ecuador vs Argentina (World Cup qualifier)
Charles Aránguiz (Chile):
Wednesday 30 March: Chile vs Uruguay (World Cup qualifier)
Piero Hincapie (Ecuador):
Wednesday 30 March: Ecuador vs Argentina (World Cup qualifier)
Odilon Kossounou (Ivory Coast):
Friday 25 March: France vs Ivory Coast (Friendly)
Tuesday 29 March: England vs Ivory Coast (Friendly)
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso):
Tuesday 29 March: Belgium vs Burkina Faso (Friendly)
Sardar Azmoun (Iran):
Tuesday 29 March: Iran vs Lebanon (World Cup qualifier)
Amine Adli (France U21):
Monday 28 March: France U21 vs Northern Ireland U21 (Friendly)
Mitchel Bakker (Netherlands U21):
Friday 25 March: Bulgaria U21 vs Netherlands U21 (Euros qualifier)
Tuesday 29 March: Netherlands U21 vs Switzerland U21 (Euros qualifier)
Iker Bravo (Spain U17):
Saturday 26 March: Spain U17 vs Belgium U17 (Euros qualifier)
Tuesday 29 March: Estonia U17 vs Spain U17 (Euros qualifier)
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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