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.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
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The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
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