International updates: Big win for Hincapie – Czechia with Kovar promoted

+++ 20.11.: Return to Leverkusen +++

International duty for Leverkusen players has now ended after the two matches in the World Cup qualifiers. It was the final international break of the year. The Werkself players will return to Leverkusen over the coming days to prepare for the Bundesliga fixture against FC Heidenheim (Saturday, 23 November, 15.30 CET).

+++ 20.11.: Palacios sits out Argentina win +++

Exequiel Palacios and Argentina have picked up the next three points in the World Cup qualifiers. The Albiceleste beat Peru 1-0 but Palacios did not feature. The win secures top spot in the qualifiers for Argentina and they now have a five-point lead over second-placed Uruguay (20 points). The first six of ten teams qualify directly for the World Cup finals with the team in seventh taking part in play-offs.

+++ 20.11.: Hincapie sees red, Ecuador win and move up to third place +++

Piero Hincapie and Ecuador were involved in matchday 12 in the South American World Cup qualifiers overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. The important match against Colombia (before the game in second place, Ecuador fifth) ended in a 1-0 win for Hincapie and Co. The Leverkusen player was in the starting line-up as usual but was shown the red card just after the half-hour mark. However, La Tri took the lead before that and were able to hold on to their lead to secure an important win in the top clash in the South American World Cup qualifiers. The three points take Ecuador into third place in the table. They currently have 19 points. Colombia have dropped down to fourth place.

+++ 19.11.: Wirtz sets up opener – Hungary level late on +++

Germany also had to settle for a draw on Tuesday night. Julian Nagelsmann fielded an almost completely changed starting XI against Hungary compared with the 7-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. While Jonathan Tah was suspended and Florian Wirtz began on the bench, the only Leverkusen player to start was Robert Andrich. After a long period at 0-0, Nagelsmann brought Wirtz on around the hour mark. The substitution paid off with the playmaker helping to set up the opener. A Wirtz cross from the left was headed goalwards by Nico Schlotterbeck and the save from the Hungarian keeper saw the ball end up at the feet of Felix Nmecha and he made it 1-0. Germany had to accept a late draw with a penalty awarded to Hungary nine minutes into added time for the final scoreline of 1-1.​

Germany end top of Group 3 in League A ahead of the Netherlands with the Oranje also qualifying for the quarter-finals. Florian Wirtz will miss the first leg as he will be suspended after picking up a yellow card against Hungary.

+++ 19.11.: Frimpong starts in a draw +++

The last Nations League group match for Jeremie Frimpong and the Netherlands ended all square. The Oranje drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Frimpong started the game but was substituted on 66 minutes. The Netherlands, already qualified for the quarter-finals, ended up second in Group 3 in League A.

+++19.11.: Kovar in goal, Czechia promoted as group winners +++

A successful night for the Werkself keeper Matej Kovar: The goalkeeper with Czechia achieved promotion to League A in the Nations League. The final group match ended in a 2-1 win against Georgia. The goals were scored by Pavel Sulc and former Leverkusen player Adam Hlozek. Czechia finished top of Group 1 in League B with eleven points.

+++ 18.11: Grimaldo and Xhaka both start +++

There was a direct Werkself encounter on Monday evening as Alejandro Grimaldo started for Spain up against Switzerland and their captain Granit Xhaka in the final game of Group A4. The Swiss twice equalised but ended up losing 3-2 after a 93rd-minute winner from the penalty spot by the hosts in Tenerife. Grimaldo played the full game and completed 90 percent of his passes. Xhaka went off after an hour.

The result means Spain, who were already assured of top spot and a place in the quarter-finals before the last round of fixtures, finish in first with 16 points. Denmark follow in second with eight, Serbia in third on six, and Switzerland are relegated to League B after finishing bottom with two points.

+++ 18.11: Boniface starts as Nigeria top group despite loss +++

Victor Boniface started for Nigeria in their final game of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Monday. The Super Eagles had already secured their place at next year’s finals before hosting Rwanda, which they lost 2-1. Boniface played for 89 minutes. Nevertheless, Nigeria finish Group D in top spot with 11 points, ahead of Benin on eight.

+++ 17.11: Hradecky on bench for loss to Greece +++

Finland lost their final game of the Nations League group stage 2-0 against Greece. Lukas Hradecky didn’t feature as his country ended Group B2 in last place without a point. Their relegation to League C was already confirmed before the last fixture.

+++ 16.11: Trio impress in runaway victory for Germany, group win sealed +++

The three Werkself players Florian Wirtz, Robert Andrich and Jonathan Tah produced brilliant performances: With the Werkself trio in the starting line-up, Germany beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-0 on Saturday night in their penultimate Nations League group match. Robert Andrich provided the assist for Tim Kleindienst (23') to make it 2-0. Florian Wirtz set up the former Leverkusen player Kai Havertz for the third goal (37') and then netted a brace within seven minutes himself. First he found the back of the net with a free kick on 50 minutes – it was his first goal direct from a free kick in his professional career – and then the playmaker scored his second with an assist from Havertz. Wirtz and Andrich went off on 58 minutes with Jonathan Tah playing the full 90 minutes as he helped to keep a clean sheet.

Already qualified for the quarter-finals, Germany’s outstanding display sealed top spot in Group 3 of League A. The final group match is against Hungary in three days time.

+++ 16.11.: Netherlands through to quarter-finals +++

The Netherlands have progressed to the quarter-finals in the UEFA Nations League. The Oranje beat Hungary 4-0 on Saturday night to seal second place behind Germany in Group 3 in League A. Jeremie Frimpong came off the bench on 48 minutes with the scoreline at 3-0. The next opponents in three days time are Bosnia and Herzegovina.

+++ 16.11.: Kovar plays in draw with Albania +++

Czechia drew 0-0 with Albania on Saturday night in their penultimate group match in the Nations League. Matej Kovar was in goal from the start. Czechia are top of Group one in League B with eight points. The final group match against Georgia, who have one less point in second place, in three days time will bring promotion to League A or keep them in League B. Albania (also on seven points) and Ukraine (five points) are in third and fourth place.

+++ 15.11.: Draw not enough: Switzerland relegated +++

Switzerland, with Granit Xhaka again in the starting X1 in the penultimate group match in the Nations League, were only able to draw 1-1 with Serbia. Switzerland took the lead on 78 minutes but conceded ten minutes later with the draw taking the Swiss team into League B. Switzerland had to win the game to remain in League A. They could not have gone through to the quarter-finals. Now relegation to League B in the Nations League is certain. The final group match against Spain is on Monday. 

+++ 15.11.: Spain beat rivals for top spot +++

Spain, already qualified for the quarter-finals in the Nations League, beat Denmark 2-1 on Friday night. The win for La Roja against the second-placed Danish side secured the group win. Alejandro Grimaldo did not feature in the game. Spain are top of Group 4 in League A with 13 points. They are six points ahead of Denmark. The final Nations League group match for Spain is against Switzerland with Granit Xhaka and Co. on Monday.

+++ 15.11.: Big win for Hincapie +++

Piero Hincapie was in action with Ecuador on Matchday 11 in the World Cup qualifiers. With the defender in the starting line-up, Ecuador secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Bolivia. Hincapie and Co. now have 16 points and are currently in fifth place with the next match against second-placed Colombia in five days time. The top six of ten teams qualify directly for the World Cup finals with the team in seventh going through to international play-offs.

+++ 15.11.: Palacios does not feature in defeat +++

Argentina played on Matchday 11 in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup overnight from Thursday to Friday. The Albiceleste, who continue to lead the South American qualifying table, lost 2-1 against Paraguay. Exequiel Palacios did not play. The opponents on Matchday 12 in five days time are Peru who are currently next to bottom.

+++ 14.11.: Eagle Owls relegated to League C in the Nations League +++

Lukas Hradecky was the first Werkself player to start the last two group matches in the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 on Thursday night. The keeper with Finland faced a crucial match against Ireland in Group 2 of League B. The captain Hradecky, in the starting line-up and on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, was on the losing side with Finland in a 1-0 defeat against Ireland. That means the Eagle Owls are relegated to League C. Finland are currently bottom the table with no points and are six points behind Ireland. The next game against Greece, second in the table behind England, is the final group match in the UEFA Nations League for Hradecky and Co.

++ 14.11.: Late draw secures spot for Nigeria in AFCON +++

Victor Boniface and Nigeria were not yet qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations ahead of the latest matchday. But the Super Eagles did seal a place in the AFCON finals. In the match against Benin, Nigeria were a goal behind but Victor Oshimen levelled on 81 minutes to secure a point for Nigeria that ensures qualification. Boniface came off the bench on 72 minutes. The final qualifier in four days time is against Rwanda.

+++ 14.11.: Tapsoba loses with Senegal +++

Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso suffered defeat against Senegal at the start of this international break. The match between the two teams already qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations ended in a 1-0 defeat for Burkina Faso. Tapsoba was in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes. After matchday five in the qualifiers, Burkina Faso are second behind Senegal. Tapsoba and Co. play Malawi on the final qualification matchday.

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