In front of a sell-out crowd at the Luzhniki Stadium in the Russian capital, England took an early lead on four minutes when Kieran Trippier scored direct from a free kick and went into the break with a 1-0 lead. The former Borussia Dortmund player Ivan Perisic put Croatia level on 68 minutes. The score was 1-1 on 90 minutes so the game went into extra time. The two sides fought to gain the upper hand but it was the team that finished third in 1998 that came out on top: Former Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic netted the winner at 2-1 in extra time on 109 minutes – to put Croatia, with the former Bayer 04 pros Domagoj Vida (Besiktas) and Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), through to the final.
Croatia, under coach Zlatko Dalic, will face France on Sunday at 17.00 CET after the European Championship runners-up beat Belgium 1-0 in the other semi-final on Tuesday night. Jedvaj's Croatia team now have the opportunity to win the World Cup for the first time in the final against France.
After eight years, Ida Daedelow is set to leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The 18-year-old, whose original contract was due to run to 2027, is joining second-division side VfL Bochum.
Show more
As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.
Show more
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
Show more
As well as internal changes and familiar faces, Bayer 04 are also looking to bring fresh impetus to the coaching staff of the senior youth squads for the 2026/27 campaign. Here is an overview of the U19, U17 and U16 teams.
Show more
