World Cup blog: Maza voted Man of the Match – Palacios’ Argentina through to next round

+++ 23 June: Algeria come from behind – driving force Maza plays the full 90 minutes +++

A strong performance on the biggest stage. With Ibrahim Maza in the starting XI, Algeria won their second group stage match 2–1 against Jordan in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Maza produced consistent commitment and energy throughout the match and was named Man of the Match after playing the full 90 minutes. The Desert Foxes, Algeria’s nickname, came from behind to turn the match round and defeat Jordan, who are now out of the tournament.

Algeria, currently third in the group, will face Austria in their final group match. The match kicks off at 04:00 CEST on Sunday, 28 June at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

+++ 22 June: Defending champions secure knockout stage spot +++

The 2022 World Cup winners are through to the Round of 32. On Monday night, Argentina beat Austria 2-0 in their second Group J match. Werkself player Exequiel Palacios did not feature. Lionel Messi secured the victory with a brace. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had initially missed a penalty in the early stages, but his subsequent two goals secured the three points. The 38-year-old has now overtaken Miroslav Klose to become the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer (18, Klose: 16). Messi also currently tops the scoring charts for the current World Cup (5).

With their victory over Austria, the Albiceleste have secured their place in the knockout stage. Ahead of their final group match against Jordan (Sunday, 28 June, 04:00 CEST) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the defending champions lead the group with six points. They are followed by Austria (3 points), Algeria (3 points) and Jordan (0 points).

+++ 21 June: Comfortable win for Spain +++

On Sunday evening, Spain played their second group match at this World Cup – and with great success! The reigning European champions secured a commanding 4–0 victory over Saudi Arabia. Alejandro Grimaldo did not feature in the match.

The win puts Spain in top spot in Group H on four points. Behind Grimaldo and his team-mates are Uruguay (2 points), Cape Verde (2 points) and Saudi Arabia (1 point). In their final group match on Saturday, 27 June, they will face Uruguay at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.

+++ 20 June: Netherlands secure impressive win +++

Following a 2–2 draw in their opening Group F match against Japan, the Netherlands clocked up a convincing 5–1 win over Sweden on Saturday night, securing their first win of the tournament – thanks in particular to two early goals from Brian Brobbey (5’, 17’) and a brace from Cody Gakpo (47’, 54’). Bayer Leverkusen’s Mark Flekken did not feature.

The Oranje currently top the group with four points, followed by Japan (4 points), Sweden (3 points) and Tunisia (0 points). The battle for top spot in the group will take centre stage this coming Friday, 26 June (kick-off: 01:00 CEST), at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, when Flekken and his team-mates face the North African side – who have already been eliminated – whilst Sweden take on Japan in a parallel fixture.

+++ June 19: USA secure spot in knockout stage — Tillman plays full 90 minutes +++

A successful Friday night for the co-hosts! In their second Group D match, the USA team secured an early spot in the World Cup knockout stage. With Malik Tillman — who was once again in the starting XI and played the entire match — the team earned a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Australia.

USA remain top of Group D on six points. Behind them are Australia (3 points), followed by Paraguay (3 points) and Turkey (0 points). Tillman and his team-mates will face the fourth-placed team — as yet to earn a point and already eliminated— in their final group stage match on Friday, June 26, at 04:00 CEST at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

+++ 18 June: Alajbegovic subbed late +++

That was followed by the clash between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland, captained by former Leverkusen man Granit Xhaka, which the Nati won 4-1. Kerim Alajbegovic started for Bosnia and came off in added time.

Like the Czechs, Bosnia and Herzegovina are third in Group B with one point. Canada (4 points) top the table thanks to their 6-0 thrashing of fourth-placed Qatar (1 point), on goal difference ahead of Switzerland (4 points). Alajbegovic and Co take on the 2022 hosts from the Arabian Peninsula in the group finale on 24 June.

+++ 18 June: First point for Schick and Czech Republic +++

Czech Republic played their second match in Group A on Thursday evening. Patrik Schick and Co made a dream start against South Africa, going in front after just six minutes. The Czechs held onto their lead for a long time but the 2010 World Cup hosts netted a late equaliser in the 83rd minute. Schick started and played the full match.

The result leaves Miroslav Koubek's side in third place in the group with one point, level with South Africa. Co-hosts Mexico, who became the first team to book their place in the round of 32, lead the group ahead of South Korea. Czech Republic face the leaders in their final group match on 25 June (3:00 CEST) at the Azteca in Mexico City.

+++ 18 June: A high-scoring World Cup opener for England +++

The eighth and final Leverkusen player at the 2026 World Cup has kicked off his campaign. On Wednesday night, the 2024 Euro finalists England defeated the 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia. The Three Lions twice took the lead but Croatia equalised on both occasions. England then sealed the victory with two further goals in the second half. Jarell Quansah did not feature in the 4–2 win.

England currently top Group L, followed by Ghana, who won 1-0 in their opening match against Panama, who are currently third in the group. England’s next match is on Tuesday 23 June at 22:00 CEST at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, near Boston, in the USA state of Massachusetts. Ghana are the opponents.

+++ 17 June: Defending champions win thanks to Messi hat-trick – Maza starts for Algeria +++

The opening match between reigning world champions Argentina and Algeria also marked the first direct encounter between two Bayer Leverkusen players at the 2026 World Cup: Exequiel Palacios, playing for the Albiceleste, faced his Leverkusen team-mate Ibrahim Maza. Argentina won 3–0 thanks to a hat-trick from Lionel Messi. Maza was in the Algeria starting XI and he played until the 81st minute. Palacios did not feature.

Argentina’s next match is against Austria, followed by a final Group J fixture against Jordan. Algeria first face Jordan and then Austria.

+++ 15 June: Surprise draw for Spain against Cape Verde +++

There was an amazing result in Spain’s opening match in Group H on Monday night. The European champions drew 0–0 with Cape Verde in their opening match at this World Cup. La Furia Roja were unable to break down the World Cup newcomers – partly due to a passionate defensive display from the team from the African island nation. Alejandro Grimaldo did not feature in the match.

All teams in Group H now have one point at the start of the tournament. The group match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay also ended in a draw (1–1). Grimaldo and Spain are back in action on Sunday 21 June at 18:00 CEST at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Saudi Arabia are the opponents in the second game.

+++ 15 June: Netherlands draw opening match +++

The next Leverkusen player has kicked off his World Cup campaign: Netherlands played their first World Cup match in Group F against Japan on Sunday night. Although the Oranje took the lead twice, Japan equalised on both occasions – resulting in a 2-2 draw. Mark Flekken did not feature in the match.

In Group F, the Netherlands are tied for second place with Japan. Sweden top the group following a 5–1 victory over Tunisia. Flekken and his team are next in action on Saturday, 20 June (kick-off: 7 pm), at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Their opponents are Sweden.

+++ 13 June: Hosts USA off to a winning start +++

The third host nation kicked off their tournament overnight: The USA, featuring Werkself player Malik Tillman, faced Paraguay in their opening match. Tillman was in the starting XI. An own goal by Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla gave the hosts an early lead (7’), followed by goals on 31 and 45+5 minutes to make it 2–0 and 3–0, both scored by Folarin Balogun. The Werkself number ten provided the assist for the latter strike. In the end, the USA clocked up a 4-1 opening win. Tillman played for 82 minutes.

Tillman and his USA team-mates play their next match this coming Friday, 19 June (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), against Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle.

+++ 12 June: Alajbegovic takes on hosts +++

Kerim Alajbegovic and Bosnia and Herzegovina faced hosts Canada in Group B on Friday night at BMO Field in Toronto. In the first match in host nation Canada, Jovo Lukic put the visitors ahead with a header from a corner on 21 minutes. On 76 minutes, Cyle Larin, who only came off the bench moments earlier, scored the equaliser for Canada to make it 1-1. Alajbegovic came on in the 74th minute to replace his team-mate Amar Memic.

Kerim and his team will be back in action this coming Thursday, 18 June (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for their match against Switzerland.

+++ 12 June: Schick suffers defeat against South Korea +++

The first Leverkusen player has competed in the World Cup. On the night of Thursday 11 June, Patrik Schick with Czechia kicked off their Group A campaign against South Korea, featuring former Leverkusen player Heung-min Son. Despite taking the lead on 59 minutes, the Bayer 04 striker and his team-mates suffered a 2-1 defeat in their opening match. Schick was in the starting line-up and played for 63 minutes.

The Czechs are third in Group A. Co-hosts Mexico, who beat South Africa 2–0 on Thursday night in a crazy World Cup opener including three red cards, top the group ahead of South Korea. Schick and his team-mates continue their campaign on Thursday 18 June (kick-off: 18:00 CEST) with their second group match against South Africa (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta).

Matches and results involving Leverkusen players at the World Cup: