
Austria's game against Ireland ended in great disappointment for the Werkself trio of Julian Baumgartlinger, Aleksandar Dragovic and Ramazan Özcan. A win for Austria would have put them level on points with the Irish but a painful 1-0 defeat could mean they are cut adrift in the World Cup qualifiers with only four games played. McClean scored the only goal of the game for the group leaders Ireland just after the break. Austria, already four points behind second spot, play Slovakia in a friendly on Tuesday. The three Bayer 04 pros played the full 90 minutes.
Turkey and Croatia were more successful. Turkey, with Hakan Calhanoglu playing the whole game, secured a regulation 2-0 win against underdogs Kosovo. After a goalless first half, the team coached by Fatih Terim netted two goals in quick succession with Burak (51') and Sen (55') getting on the scoresheet. That victory puts them back in touch with Iceland and Ukraine.
Croatia are top of Group I with ten points after a 2-0 win behind closed doors against the surprise team from Euro 2016 Iceland. It was the first defeat for Iceland in the current qualifying rounds. Brozovic scored both goals for Croatia (15',90') and Perisic was sent off. Tin Jedvaj did not play but he can hope to get a start in Tuesday’s friendly against Northern Ireland.
Chicha in last-minute winner
Mexico had every reason to celebrate. The team, with Bayer 04 striker Chicharito up front, ended a run of four defeats against the USA. This time Mexico won the important first and emotionally laden World Cup qualifier against the great rivals from the north 2-1. Jürgen Klinsmann, USA coach, saw the winner scored by the 37-year-old captain Rafael Marquez with a header on 89 minutes. Miguel Layun opened the scoring for Mexico on 20 minutes before the Hamburg SV player Bobby Wood levelled on 49 minutes. Mexico's next match is in Panama in the early hours of Wednesday.


Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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Union Berlin have performed particularly well against the top clubs in the Bundesliga this season with a draw at home to Bayern Munich and wins against VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig. This Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Irons now welcome the Werkself, currently sixth in the table, to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. And the hosts are in desperate need of a win. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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It took exactly 60 minutes for the Werkself to take the lead through a perfectly finished counter-attack by Patrik Schick in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off at Olympiacos. Referring to the meeting in the league phase and the initially squandered opportunities, coach Kasper Hjulmand said afterwards: "I thought: 'Oh no, déjà-vu.'" But after the opening goal, it took just 144 seconds for the Czech to spark more wild celebrations among those in black and red in the Greek cauldron, when Schick nodded in Alejandro Grimaldo's corner. Much to the delight of the Bayer 04 fans, his teammates and his coach, who had warm words for the striker in the aftermath. The Werkself Review.
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