Neuer confirms World Cup farewell as Germany eye Ivory Coast decider

Neuer: this is my last tournament

Manuel Neuer confirmed it after the 7–1 win over Curaçao. "For me it is clear that this is my last tournament. I do not plan to be there in two years time for the next Euro," he said (1). The 40-year-old became the oldest player in German national team history in Houston. No drama, no farewell tour circus, just a quiet line after a rout.

One win from the knockout rounds

Beat Ivory Coast on Saturday and you are through. That is the equation after the Group E opener (2). Ivory Coast had their own scare when Frankfurt's Elye Wahi faced a Canada entry issue tied to an investigation, but the situation has since been resolved and he is available (8). Germany's attack hummed against Curaçao, Nmecha, Musiala, Wirtz running things, Kimmich with two assists, Nathaniel Brown scoring from left-back.

Bayern clearance sale: six names on the block

Bayern Munich need to sell at least four first-team players and raise €50–60m this summer (7). The list: João Palhinha, Bryan Zaragoza, Sacha Boey, Alexander Nübel are all up for sale. Hiroki Itō and Min-jae Kim could also leave if the right offer arrives. Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown are names Bayern are watching on the incoming side (7). Uli Hoeneß, meanwhile, defended last summer's window, pointing to the Nicolas Jackson deal as proof the club's approach works (3).

Liverpool tried €100m for Diomande. Leipzig said no.

RB Leipzig rejected a €100m bid from Liverpool for Ivory Coast defender Yan Diomande (6). He is at the World Cup with the Elephants right now. Leipzig are not budging.

Bayern lock in goalkeeping prospect Bärtl

Jannis Bärtl, 19, signed a long-term extension with Bayern Munich. "I've been wearing the FC Bayern jersey since I was eight years old," he said (5). A homegrown name to file away as the Neuer era winds down.

Freund: nobody is touching Bayern yet

Steffen Freund was blunt. "At the moment, no. I still think Bayern will grow, and they're not finished. You can feel that under Kompany, they want to win the Champions League now" (4). His verdict: Dortmund and the rest need to nail every signing just to close the gap.

Switzerland bounce back, but tension lingers

Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4–1 on Thursday (9). Gregor Kobel called the earlier draw with Qatar "frustrating, of course" after Granit Xhaka criticised the team publicly. Switzerland are still in the fight for the knockout spots, but the dressing room is not calm.