Sardar Azmoun was the first Black and Red player to start matchday two in the World Cup group stage. The Iran striker started up front against Wales. The Iranians, who lost 6-2 against England on matchday one, had the better chances in this game. Werkself player Azmoun was involved in nearly every attacking move and he appeared to have provided an assist for the opening goal – however the Iran goalscorer was offside when Azmoun played the pass. The Leverkusen player hit the post at the start of the second half (51'). Azmoun, who had been out of action for six weeks before the World Cup, was substituted on 68 minutes.
Iran pressed hard and they had an extra man after 86 minutes. However, it took until the ninth minute of added time before the deadlock was broken with a long-range effort. Iran doubled their lead in a counter-attack for the final score of 2-0 two minutes later. Azmoun and Co. go into the final matchday second in Group D. The game against the USA is on Tuesday 29 November (kick-off: 20.00 CET).
Argentina, with the Werkself player Exequiel Palacios in the line-up, clocked up their first three points on matchday two. Following the surprise 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia in the opening match, the Albiceleste beat Mexico 2-0. Lionel Messi opened the scoring just after the hour mark with Enzo Fernandez settling the victory with a late goal. Palacios came off the bench on 69 minutes to make his World Cup debut.
Argentina, currently second with three points, play group leaders Poland (four points) on matchday three in Group C. The game kicks off at 20.00 CET on Wednesday 30 November.
Matchday two brought a head-to-head in Group A with Jeremie Frimpong’s Netherlands playing Ecuador with Piero Hincapie. The Oranje player Cody Gakpo opened the scoring on six minutes with Enna Valencia netting the leveller at 1-1 just after the restart (49'). Hincapie played the full 90 minutes for Ecuador with Frimpong remaining on the bench.
Both the Netherlands and Ecuador go into the final group match on four points with Senegal just behind on three points. Hosts Qatar, up against the Netherlands at 16.00 CET on 29 November, are pointless to date. Ecuador play Senegal at the same time.
With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.
Show more
With 46 points in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 Women’s team once again broke the previous season's club record and ended up in fifth place - 15 wins is also a record. As in previous years, you now have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is open exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app by 11 June.
Show more
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
Show more
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
Show more
