
In front of 12,000-strong crowd at the A. Le Coq Arena in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, a brace from Ilkay Gündogan after half-time (51’, 57’) put Germany on the way to victory and substitute Timo Werner rounded off proceedings with the third goal on 71 minutes.
Germany, with Kai Havertz in the starting line-up on the right side of midfield in his seventh international, were a man down for 75 minutes of the game after the former Leverkusen player Emre Can was shown a red card for a professional foul (14’). The German team struggled as a result for much of the game. Nadiem Amiri came off the bench on 86 minutes to win his second cap. Germany are level on points with Holland in second place in Group C with two games to play.
Austria also remain on course to qualify for the European Championships finals. The team coached by Franco Foda beat Slovenia 1-0 in Group G. With Slovenia struggling to make an impression in the game, Stefan Posch scored the winner with a header on 21 minutes. Austria are second to Poland, who are already through to the finals, with a five-point lead over North Macedonia. Skipper Julian Baumgartlinger and Aleksandar Dragovic went the full distance in the win for Austria.
Argentina romped home with a 6-1 victory over Ecuador in a friendly on Sunday. Four days after his goal in the 2-2 draw with Germany, Lucas Alario opened the floodgates on 20 minutes – with another header. The other goals for Argentina in a game played in the Spanish city of Elche were an own goal by Jhon Espinoza (27’) plus strikes from Leandro Parades (32’ pen.), German Pezzella (66’), Nicolas Dominguez (82’) and Lucas Ocampos (86’). Ecuador’s Angel Mena scored a consolation goal on 49 minutes. Alario started but was substituted on 57 minutes.
Joel Pohjanpalo celebrated his return to the Finland team on Saturday. After nearly 18 months ruled out through injury, the Werkself number 17 came on for the second half in the Euro qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina and he scored the only goal for the Finns in a four-one defeat. Finland were unable to build on their previous performances in the qualifiers and conceded as many goals in this game as in all the previous matches in the qualifying group. The goals for the hosts were scored by Izet Hajrovic (29’), Miralem Pjanic (37’, 58’ pen.) and Armin Hodzic (73’). Lucas Hradecky was in goal for the Eagle Owls and he produced numerous saves to prevent an even greater defeat. Finland remain in second place in Group J behind Italy who have already qualified. The next game for Finland is against third-placed Armenia on Tuesday (18.00 CET).


Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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