World Cup memories: RBL moments on the global stage | OneFootball

Representing your country at a World Cup is the dream of every footballer. For six of our boys, that dream became a reality in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.

Yan Diomande, Antonio Nusa, Assan Ouédraogo, David Raum, Xaver Schlager and Nicolas Seiwald return with memories that will stay with them for a lifetime. There were scenes of sheer joy, landmark achievements and one meeting between teammates that may never be repeated.

Red Bull against Red Bull

Two Red Bulls, but only one could reach the last 16. That was the unusual situation facing Dio and Toni on 30th June. Usually teammates at the Red Bull Arena, the two wingers suddenly found themselves on opposite sides in Dallas as the Ivory Coast took on Norway. RBL against RBL, in a fixture that owed much to the performances of both Leipzig players earlier in the tournament.

Dio had already caused plenty of problems in the group stage with his pace, flair and fearless approach. Germany and Joshua Kimmich found that out for themselves, with the 19-year-old repeatedly getting the better of the former Leipzig man. Our number 49 also created the opening goal against Germany with a superb piece of individual play out wide.

It was his Leipzig teammate who had the final say that Tuesday evening, however, and Toni played a decisive role himself. He beat his man, shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled a stunning finish into the top corner in trademark Nusa fashion to make it 1-0. He was then able to celebrate Erling Haaland’s late winner at the end of a dramatic contest.

Heroes’ welcome

Despite the defeat, Dio’s first World Cup was a resounding success. The Ivory Coast reached the knockout stages for the first time, while the winger once again showed why he had emerged as one of the breakout stars of the previous Bundesliga season.

Norway’s remarkable run continued, meanwhile. They lived up to their billing as dark horses by overcoming footballing heavyweights Brazil, with Toni joined by another former Leipzig player at the heart of the victory. Ørjan Nyland saved a penalty and produced a string of outstanding stops in the last 16 to help Norway secure the greatest result in their history.

The Scandinavians had reached the quarter-finals for the first time, but England ultimately proved a step too far as Norway were beaten 2-1 after extra time. Toni did everything he could to keep the journey going, narrowly missing the chance to score a late winner in normal time.

Nusa, Haaland and the rest of the squad were still welcomed home as though they had lifted the trophy. It was a fitting reception for a historic achievement, with Toni right at the front of the celebrations.

Relief just before 6am

Our Austrian duo Nici and Xaver also helped their country reach a long-awaited milestone. Austria had gone 72 years without playing a World Cup knockout match, with their last appearance coming at the 1954 tournament won by West Germany. Their wait could hardly have ended in more dramatic fashion.

It was almost 6am in Germany and the game had entered the sixth minute of stoppage time. Austria appeared to have suffered a decisive blow just three minutes earlier, only for Saša Kalajdžić to head them into the round of 32 after all. The goal sparked wild celebrations in red and white, perhaps fuelled in part by Christoph Baumgartner, who had travelled to North America to continue his rehabilitation and provide extra energy around the squad after suffering the heartbreak of missing the tournament through injury in the final warm-up match.

Their run came to an end against a strong Spain side featuring former Leipzig man Dani Olmo in the first knockout round. Nici, Xaver and Austria could nevertheless leave North America with their heads held high after a thrilling draw against Algeria that will live long in the memory.

The lottery from 12 yards

Assan and Raumi also experienced the full range of emotions that comes with playing at a World Cup. There was unbridled joy after an emphatic 7-1 win over Curaçao, followed by bitter disappointment against Paraguay, with the underdogs prevailing on penalties in the round of 32.

Knowing the pair as we do, however, this setback will only spur them on. Assan and Raumi return to Leipzig with the experience of having competed on football’s biggest stage and will soon turn their attention to a new season filled with more memorable moments.

Six players, one summer and countless unforgettable moments, all with one thing in common: RB Leipzig. After a well-earned break, we cannot wait to see what the next chapter has in store for them.

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