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.
Bayer 04 Women have their second straight home game as they close out Matchday 5 in the Google Pixel Bundesliga against Carl Zeiss Jena on Monday. Kick-off at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion is at 6pm CEST, with head coach Roberto Pätzold expecting a defensive-minded opponent while his team look to continue their good form.
Show moreThe German double winners’ special-edition jersey to mark the club’s 120th anniversary is reminiscent of the first kit worn by players back in the 1907/08 season. The jersey, which the Werkself will wear for the Bundesliga home game against Holstein Kiel on Saturday, 5 October and which has been met with enthusiasm by the players, has numerous special features relating to the club's history, including an NFC chip that leads to exclusive content when scanned with a smartphone.
Show moreBundesliga debutants Holstein Kiel come to the BayArena on Saturday, 5 October (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST) looking to improve on their defensive record up against the Werkself after a tough start to the season. No team has conceded more goals so far than the promoted side. Learn more about our next opponents here…
Show moreVanessa Haim became Bayer 04 Women's sixth summer signing shortly before the start of the training camp in Poland. Around two months after her arrival in Leverkusen, the 27-year-old tells bayer04.de about her move under the Cross and her former job as a teacher.
Show moreThe second international break of the 2024/25 season is round the corner. After the Bundesliga clash against Holstein Kiel this Saturday, 5 October (kick-off 15:30 CEST), several Bayer 04 players will be playing in the next set of UEFA Nations League fixtures, among others. An overview.
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