Croatia were the favourites going into the Round of 16 game against Denmark after winning all three group matches against Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland. Tin Jedvaj, who played the full 90 minutes against Iceland, remained on the subs bench with the former Bayer 04 pro Domagoj Vida in the starting eleven. Mathias Jörgensen gave Denmark the lead in the first minute but Mario Mandzukic quickly levelled on four minutes. Luka Modric had a penalty saved in added time (114 mins) by the Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Croatia then came out on top in the ensuing penalty shoot-out with their keeper Danijel Subasic saving three penalties including the final spot-kick from former Werkself player Nicolai Jörgensen who came on after 60 minutes. The quarter-finals see Croatia take on Russia in Sochi on Saturday (20.00 CET) after the hosts beat Spain 4-3 on penalties.
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-1 victory in the friendly match at Kickers Offenbach...
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It’s always nice having your best friends round for a birthday! Bayer 04 made a guest appearance at Stadion am Bieberer Berg as part of Offenbacher Kickers’ 125th anniversary celebrations, and nearly 1,500 Werkself supporters accepted the invitation to this historic venue, joining the Offenbach crowd in celebrating the more than 45-year friendship between the clubs. On the pitch, the Werkself secured a 3–1 victory in the friendly against the fourth-tier Regionalliga side. The Leverkusen goals were scored by Christian Kofane (38’), Jonas Hofmann (48’) and Afonso Moreira (81’). Keanu Staude had put the hosts ahead in the first half (11’).
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