19-year-old Bender provided the assist for Sophie Nachtigall to score with a header at 2-0 with a wonderful cross from the right. Two minutes later, she was unmarked in front of the Argentina keeper Paulina Aprile and was able to score herself with a volley to make it 3-0. The other goals for the Germany U20 team at the El Techo Stadium in the Colombian capital Bogota were scored by Matilda Janzen (6’), Sophie Nachtigall (37’) and Cora Zicai (69’). The consolation goal for Argentina was scored by Delfina Lombardi.
Progress to the quarter-finals rules out Bender and Zdebel for the first home fixture for the Bayer 04 Women in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, 15 September (kick-off: 15.00 CEST) at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium.
Germany face the USA on Monday night, 16 September (kick-off: 01.00 CEST) at the Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali. The semi-finals are on 18/19 September and the final on Sunday, 22 September (kick-off: 23.00 CEST). All the matches are broadcast live via a free streaming service at FIFA+.
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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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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