Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka scored the first of three Germany goals - while Jamal Musiala made his international debut for his country - as Joachim Löw's side strolled to victory in their opening 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Iceland.

Germany 3-0 Iceland
Goals: 1-0 Goretzka (3'), 2-0 Havertz (7'), 3-0 Gündogan (56')

It was Germany's first game in 2021 and first under Joachim Löw since his announcement that he would be stepping down from his role as head coach following this summer's Euros. His side showed they want to send the World Cup-winning coach out in style with two goals in the opening seven minutes. The first was created right from the Allianz Arena, as Joshua Kimmich chipped a ball in behind the Iceland defence for Serge Gnabry, who played it back for Goretzka to fire home inside three minutes. Four minutes later and the lead was doubled when Kimmich played Leroy Sane in down the left and his cut-back was slotted away across goal by Kai Havertz. It was an outstanding start which continued throughout a first half dominated by Germany. Goretzka headed wide at the near post while Havertz shot past the post as chances continued to come, while Iceland had their first and only effort on goal of the opening period with 25 minutes played as Runar Sigurjonsson had a shot blocked wide off Antonio Rüdiger. The Chelsea defender had a big chance to make it three before the break but headed wide from Kimmich's cross.

It was a slower start to the second half for the hosts, with Iceland having a good chance on goal through Aron Gunnarsson early on. But Germany were still able to extend their lead just 11 minutes after the break. Gnabry found Ilkay Gündogan outside the Iceland area, and he skipped past a challenge before thumping the ball home low to the goalkeeper's left. Iceland continued to threaten the Germany defence, though, as Jon Bödvarsson drew Manuel Neuer into a save with a crisp volley. Germany calmed the game down from there, with Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala coming on to make his international debut for Germany in the final 12 minutes. In the end, it was the perfect start to the qualifying campaign with Löw looking to set up his eventual successor with a smooth journey towards next year’s World Cup.

Match stats

• Musiala made his international debut for Germany. The 18-year-old represented Germany twice at U16 level. He won 21 youth caps for England, scoring 10 goals.
• Germany went into a two-goal lead in a competitive game in the fastest time for 52 years. In May 1969, Gerd Mülller and Wolfgang Overath scored inside five minutes of a World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.
• Löw has overseen 189 games as Germany head coach, including 31 matches across three World Cup qualifying campaigns (W28, D3).
• Wirtz has played for Germany's U15s, 16s, 17s and 21s, earning three caps for the latter as recently as October-November 2020.
• Gnabry is Germany's highest-scoring player in the period since the 2018 World Cup, with 11 goals in 16 appearances.
• Germany are four-time World Cup champions. They have never failed to qualify for a finals

Line-ups

Germany: Neuer (c) - Klostermann, Ginter, Rüdiger, Can - Kimmich, Gündogan, Goretzka (Neuhaus 71') - Havertz (Musiala 78'), Gnabry (Younes 86'), Sane (Werner 78')
Unused subs: ter Stegen, Trapp, Tah, Max, Wirtz
Out: Brandt (not included), Dahoud (not included), Draxler (not included), Gosens (muscular), Halstenberg (not included), Hofmann (not included), Koch (knee), Kroos (groin), Süle (thigh)
Coach: Joachim Löw

Iceland: Halldorsson - Sampsted, Ingason, Amason, Magnusson - Gunnarsson (c) - Bjarnason, Sigurjonsson (A. Gudmundsson 38'), Palsson (Skulason 89'), Traustason (A. Sigurdsson 71') - Bödvarsson (Sigthorsson 89')
Unused subs: Kristinsson, Runarsson, Eyjolfsson, R. Sigurdsson, J. Gudmundsson, Fridjonsson, Hermannsson
Out: Finnbogason (calf), Hallfredsson (muscular), Kjartansson (not included), Sigurdsson (ankle)
Coach: Arnar Vidarsson

As it happened!

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