
In the last Euros, Patrik Schick played a significant role in the Czech Republic qualifying for the quarter-finals – the 25-year-old netted an impressive five goals. And in the current league campaign he has demonstrated his quality as a striker in Black and Red: His tally so far is six goals in seven Bundesliga matches. So he was riding high going into the current international break.
Following the 2-2 draw against Wales, the Czech Republic met bottom of Group E Belarus on Monday night. The favourites took the lead on 22 minutes – Schick found the back of the net once again. And the Werkself striker was also directly involved in making it 2-0 with an assist for Adam Hlozek on 65 minutes. The striker ended his shift after 92 minutes with the victory putting Schick and Co. second in Group E. That will be enough to secure a slot in the play-offs for the Czech Republic.
Germany ended the current international break with an away match in North Macedonia. The capital Skopje was the venue for the game against the team second in Group J. The North Macedonians are the only team to take points off Germany in the current World Cup qualifiers (with a 2-1 win in March).
And the hosts competed well with the favourites in the opening stages of the match on Monday night. The deadlock was broken by Kai Havertz, who came through the youth ranks at Bayer 04, with the opener on 50 minutes. Florian Wirtz stepped onto the pitch at the national stadium ten minutes later – and he immediately made his mark.

Timo Werner doubled the lead on 70 minutes and the 18-year-old set up the central striker for his second goal three minutes later. The Germany team under coach Hansi Flick secured a comfortable 4-0 victory.
The international break also ended well for Russia and the Ivory Coast. The Russians remain top of the World Cup qualifying Group H after a 2-1 win in Slovenia. The Ivorians also won 2-1 in their World Cup qualifier at home to Malawi – and are also top of their Group D in Africa. Both Bayer 04 goalkeeper Andrey Lunev with Russia as well as central defender Odilon Kossounou (Ivory Coast) did not play in these matches.
Lukas Hradecky (World Cup qualifier)
12.10, 16.00 CEST, Kazakhstan vs Finland, Nur-Sultan
Exequiel Palacios und Lucas Alario (World Cup qualifier)
15.10, 01.30 CEST, Argentina vs Peru, Buenos Aires
Piero Hincapie (World Cup qualifier)
14.10, 23.00 CEST, Colombia vs Ecuador, Barranquilla
Mitchel Bakker and Jeremie Frimpong (U21 Euros qualifier)
12.10, 20.00 CEST, Netherlands vs Wales, Nijmegen
Amine Adli (U21 Euros qualifier)
12.10, 18.30 CEST, Serbia vs France, Belgrade
Zidan Sertdemir (U17 Euros qualifier)
12.10, 11.00 CEST, Denmark vs Turkey, Paola

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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