Leeds United 4 (Stach 1’, Muharemović 19’, Justin 28’, Nmecha 82’)
FC Augsburg 0
Leeds: Trafford (GK), Bogle, Ampadu (C) (Tanaka 76’), Muharemović, Rodon, Calvert-Lewin (Nmecha 67’), Aaronson (Piroe 76’), Bijol (Okafor 67’), Wilson (James 68’), Stach (Longstaff 68’), Justin. Subs not used: Cairns (GK), Mahady (GK), Bornauw, Chadwick, Cresswell, Lienou, Mills.
Venue: Elland Road | Attendance: 21,894 | Referee: Michael Salisbury
Leeds United rounded off an important summer of pre-season fixtures with a resounding victory over Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburg at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke’s side were impressive from the off and raced into a three-goal lead before Lukas Nmecha completed the rout after the break in our final friendly before next weekend’s Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest.
The Whites got off to the perfect just 50 seconds in as Anton Stach drilled a fierce effort beyond Finn Dahmen and into the back of the net!
Dominic Calvert-Lewin initially did brilliantly leading the line, winning a long ball and finding the overlapping Harry Wilson. Cutting in-field, the Wales international picked out Brenden Aaronson who in turn released the German to lash a left-footed effort past the goalkeeper!
One would have very quickly become two if not for an outstanding Dahmen save from close range. James Justin, marauding down the left flank, whipped a dangerous delivery into the path of Calvert-Lewin but the stopper produced a fine intervention to deny the England international.
The Augsburg keeper was having a very busy start to the encounter in West Yorkshire. Next, in a very similar fashion to the opener, Aaronson laid the ball off for Stach to drive into the area. The midfielder struck low, forcing a strong stop from Dahmen.
With 19 minutes on the clock, the Whites extended their lead in remarkable fashion. An Ethan Ampadu long throw caused chaos in the visitors’ penalty area and there was 6ft 4’ defender Tarik Muharemović acrobatically in the air with a magnificent overhead kick that left the opposition goalkeeper no chance!
If the second was an outstanding individual effort, the third was all about the team! Sublime one-touch football saw the ball fizzed one way then another, ultimately setting Justin through on goal who did the rest with a composed strike into the corner.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 3-0 FC Augsburg
The Whites emerged from the interval unchanged, as did the direction of attack with United immediately on the front foot and looking for a fourth of the afternoon.
Joe Rodon burst into space down the right and crossed low looking for Calvert-Lewin but a green shirt diverted the ball behind. From the resulting corner kick, Muharemović rose highest and glanced a header over the upright.
Then, in a rare case of the hosts having to defend, Justin was on hand to make an important block as Germany international Marius Wolf looked to trouble James Trafford, who was enjoying a first Elland Road outing since his record-breaking move from Manchester City. Moments later, Yannik Keitel fired a speculative effort over from distance.
Just after the hour mark, more free-flowing football saw Wilson release Calvert-Lewin into space on the left. The striker cut the ball back for the onrushing Aaronson who, under pressure from two retreating defenders, was unable to sort his feet out and Dahmen intervened.
First activity from the bench introduced Lukas Nmecha, Noah Okafor and Daniel James into the action as Farke made changes to his attacking line, as well as Sean Longstaff who replaced the impressive Stach in midfield. Further reinforcements came in the form of Joël Piroe and Ao Tanaka with 15 minutes left on the clock.
With time ticking away, Trafford had to be alert to get down well at his near post to prevent a miscued Augsburg cross from nestling in the bottom corner.
Leeds got their deserved fourth of the afternoon through substitute Nmecha. Excellent tenacity in the middle of the park wrestled possession back for United with Tanaka then timing his through ball for the striker to perfection. The German did the rest, adding further gloss to the scoreline.
The encounter proved another valuable test for the Whites, ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign getting underway next weekend with a trip to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 4-0 FC Augsburg