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 sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Germany U19 international Luca Erlein from Hoffenheim. The 19-year-old right-back, who is capable of playing in various defensive positions, has penned a contract until 30 June 2030.
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