
Bayer 04 have to wait for a third World Cup winner. After success for the Brazilians Paulo Sergio (1994) and Lucio (2002), the Werkself pro Tin Jedvaj and his home nation Croatia failed to win this time round in Russia. Croatia suffered their first defeat of the tournament against France as they missed out on the opportunity to register an historic World Cup triumph.
An entertaining final played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow ended in a significant defeat against the European Championship runners-up on Sunday evening. The Croats started brightly against a French side on the back foot. Against the run of play, the deadlock was broken by the 'Equipe Tricolore' with a headed own goal from former Bundesliga striker Mario Mandzukic (18'). Ex Wolfsburg player Ivan Perisic levelled for the Red and Whites ten minutes later with a left-foot shot that revived hopes of a first World Cup for Croatia. However, Antoine Griezmann restored the lead just before half-time with a disputed penalty settled by VAR to make it 2-1 to France. The 78,000 crowd were treated to more goals in the second 45: France midfielder Paul Pogba made it 3-1 just before the hour mark before his team-mate Kylian Mbappé settled the result with a strike on 65 minutes. Croatia did pull a goal back four minutes later through Mandzukic but were unable to break through a resolute French defence again. Jedvaj's Croatia ended up on the wrong end of 4-2 win for France.
As in the semi-final against England, the Bayer 04 defender did not come on and had to watch proceedings from the bench as France secured their second World Cup following on from 1998. The 22-year-old made one appearance in the tournament (in the 2-1 win against Iceland) – and he is now a World Cup runner-up. Congratulations, Tin.


In glorious sunshine and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the Bayer 04 Women have begun their preparations for the new season. With a relaxed first session at the Kurtekotten training centre, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team became the first Bundesliga side to resume training after a 37-day break.
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Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
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Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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