Germany rout Liechtenstein, Flick gets record after Loew farewell

Wolfsburg, Germany (dpa) – Germany routed 10-man Liechtenstein 9-0 in World Cup qualifying on Thursday as Hansi Flick set a coaching record for the hosts.

Ilkay Guendogan opened the scoring in the 11th from the penalty spot after jens Hofer was sent up for hitting Leon Goretzka in the face with his boot.

Three further goals within three minutes between the 20th and 23rd – an own goal from Daniel Kaufmann, Leroy Sane and Marco Reus – made it 4-0.

Sane completed a brace, Thomas Mueller also netted twice, Ridle Baku was on target and a second own goal, from Maximilian Goeppel’s header, ended the lopsided affair in front of 25,984 happy fans in Wolfsburg.

They had chanted the name of former coach Joachim Loew before kick-off as the 2014 World Cup winner got an emotional formal send-off after 15 years in charge had come to an end at the Euros in summer.

Loew then watched successor Hansi Flick, his former assistant, upstage him as the first German coach to win his first six games in charge.

Germany had clinched qualification for next year’s World Cup last month, and wrap up the campaign on Sunday in Armenia.

“I am happy that Jogi saw nine goals in his farewell,” Flick told broadcasters RTL. “It was important to get the early goals. We kept on trying against an opponent who defended deep.”

Flick had to make several changes after the coronavirus infection of Niklas Suele which also forced four other players led by Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry into quarantine.

Liechtenstein had allowed only two goals against the Germans two months ago in a 2-0 scoreline in Flick’s debut but the visitors had a nightmare start with the red card, penalty and own goal.

Hofer hit Goretzka in the face with his studs, for which he was sent off by Croatian referee Ivana Martincic who was officiating her first men’s international and also awarded the spot kick which Guendogan calmly converted.

Goretzka was not seriously injured and could continue while Liechtenstein’s misery grew from Daniel Kaufmann’s own goal nine minutes later when he attempted to clear a cross.

The Germans never looked back, with Same getting a first-ever national team brace and Baku netting the pick of the goals with a stunning curling effort into the top left corner.

Baku’s promising Wolfsburg team-mate Lukas Nmecha made his national team debut after the break and smashed against the post.

“We didn’t have top teams in our group but the fans were ready and so were we. We can speak of a harmonious and a great evening,” Mueller said.