Good evening, my name is Patrick McGahren and welcome to tonight’s live blog for this World Cup Qualifier between Germany and Liechtenstein.
Germany come into this game having already qualified for the World Cup finals – being the first team to do so, topping their group with an impressive 21 points from eight games. Last time out was a 4-0 win over North Macedonia. Die Mannschaft have netted 23 times and only conceded three, which has been an impressive campaign under new boss Hansi Flick.
Liechtenstein have seen a disappointing qualifying period thus far, only managing to pick up a single point from their eight games. Their last game was against Iceland where they suffered a 4-0 defeat.
Although Liechtenstein have let the fourth most goals of any group team so far, they can take some positivity from their last outing against Germany. Despite Die Mannschaft having 82% ball possession and 30 attempts on goal, Liechtenstein still only allowed them to score twice, receiving praise from the Germans shown below.
Our one to watch player tonight has to be Jamal Musiala. The 18-year-old scored against North Macedonia despite only being on the pitch for 17 minutes. With Germany already qualified and injuries being prominent within the squad, expect to see Musiala for a longer period tonight.
And here are the teams:
Germany:
Liechtenstein:
A heartfelt tribute to ex-boss Joachim Low following today’s game.
1-Kick-off, here we go.
2-(0-0) Leon Goretzka with the first chance of the game and it’s an early shot from distance, he floats the ball at the goalkeeper from 30-yards, but can’t keep his shot down.
4-(0-0) Germany controlling possession here as expected, the full-backs have taken an aggressive stance, pushing high up the pitch as Germany alter their 4-2-3-1 in a more aggressive stance when in possession.
8-(0-0) Penalty Germany! A crunching high boot to the head of Goretzka from Jens Hofer after a ball into the box sees a penalty awarded to Germany within the first 10 minutes. Hofer could be in serious trouble here.
10-(0-0) Red card Liechtenstein. No surprises there, a straight red to Hofer who looks mortified at his actions, there was some worry for German fans after Goretzka was down for some time, but he is up and okay now.
11-(1-0) Goal Germany! Ilkay Gündoğan despatches the penalty with ease into the bottom right-hand corner, putting Die Mannschaft one goal ahead.
13-(1-0) Chance Germany. Ridle Baku plays a lovely ball through to Marco Reus from the right hand side, he shoots low to the right of the keeper but is denied by Benjamin Buchel.
16-(1-0) Baku has started well for Germany here, he flashes a shot at Buchel from just outside the penalty area, but the Liechtenstein keeper makes another good save.
18-(2-0) Goal Germany. Christian Gunter fires the ball hard and low from the left-hand side and the ball is turned in for an own goal from Daniel Kaufmann. With the way things are looking, this could be a slaughter.
22-(3-0) Goal Germany. Two of Bayern Munich’s finest link up beautifully. Goretzka with a delightful ball through and Leroy Sane finishes into the bottom right-hand corner to make it three for Germany.
24-(4-0) Three goals in six minutes for Germany and it looks like I might be in for a busy night here. Buchel comes to collect a Muller cross but spills the ball and Reus is there to fire it home. Germany are beginning to run riot here.
29-(4-0) Liechtenstein forced into an early change here, striker Yanki Frick makes way for midfielder Fabio Wolfinger. Finally an update that isn’t a goal, it’s a miracle.
34-(4-0) It should be five for Germany. Muller crosses from the left hand side, but Sane heads just wide from the penalty spot after getting in between the centre-backs.
38-(4-0) First yellow card of the game surprisingly goes to a German player. Antonio Rudiger is booked for a rather pointless foul on Sandro Wolfinger. He will now miss the Armenia game through suspension.
44-(4-0) Germany looking to end the half on a high here, funnily enough that’s exactly where Goretzka’s shot just ended up as he tries again from distance.
46-(4-0)Three added minutes at the end of the half.
Leroy Sane in fine form.
Half-time in Wolfsburg. Germany 4-0 Liechtenstein.
There won’t be many surprised to see that scoreline. Liechtenstein had the odds stacked against them to begin with and, with an early red card, Germany have taken full advantage – leading by four goals and it could have been more. With another 45 to go, expect more goals.
A look at the other scores from all World Cup qualifiers. The other game in Group J between Iceland and Romania is currently 0-0.
The players are back out for the second-half and it looks like there will be a double change for Germany.
46-(4-0) An international debut for 22-year-old Lukas Nmecha, he’s scored in his last three for Wolfsburg. Let’s see if can he continue that form.
48-(5-0) Goal Germany. It’s five and that didn’t take long. Leroy Sane gets his second and he now only needs two more to become Germany’s leading scorer in qualifying for this tournament. Can he do it tonight?
56-(5-0) So close for Nmecha. The post denies him of a debut goal after a wonderful volley from the penalty spot.
62-(5-0) Germany’s aggregate over the last five games versus Liechtenstein is 29-3. They seem determined to add to that tally tonight as Gundogan shoots from distance into the gloves of Buchel.
64-(5-0)Two more changes for Germany.
68-(5-0) Penalty shout for Germany, as Gunter goes to ground following a dangling leg from Wolfinger. The referee waves it away but I’ve seen them given. Germany currently have 82% ball possession, 28 shots (14 of those being on target) and 587 passes. There’s one for all you stat lovers out there.
69-(5-0) Double change for Liechtenstein this time as Wolfinger and Dennis Salanovic make way for Livio Meier and Rafael Grunenfelder.
72-(5-0) This five substitutes rule is really not helping me out here, another change for Germany and thankfully it’s the last they can make.
75-(5-0) Chance Liechtenstein! Aron Sele plays a lovely ball in behind for Grunenfelder, all that’s missing is the finish.
77-(6-0) A sixth for Germany. Maximilian Arnold with the delivery from a corner. Matthias Ginter heads it goalward and it’s a great save from Buchel, but Muller is there to see it across the line. Not the best of the night, but they all count. Even at 6-0.
81-(7-0) Now that’s an upgrade! It seems Ridle Baku heard us talking about the quality of Germany’s sixth and decided to take matters into his own hands. He curls a beautiful effort from outside the box on the right straight into the top left, clipping the post as it goes in and it’s seven. That’s the pick of the bunch so far.
84-(7-0) Final changes for Liechtenstein. Wolfinger and Sele make way for Daniel Brandle and Martin Buchel, who shouldn’t be confused with goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel.
86-(8-0) Eight for Germany. A lovely free flowing move ends with a shot from Marco Reus, which is saved by Benjamin Buchel (not to be confused with his brother) but another rebound for Germany and it’s Muller with his second goal of the night.
89-(9-0) I’m definitely starting to sound like a broken record here. It’s 9-0 for Germany. Baku crosses in from the right and it’s headed into his own net by Max Goppel. Could we see double figures here?
Full-time: Germany 9-0 Liechtenstein
An excellent performance from the German national team here tonight, beating Liechtenstein by nine goals. A red card in the ninth minute for Jens Hofer allowed Germany to run riot and achieve their highest scoring game in over a year.
Hansi Flick keeps his unbeaten record and German fans will be delighted with another great showing. Liechtenstein still only have the singular point to their name and will hope to get something next time out against Romania. Germany play Armenia, and we can only expect another thriller.
That’s all from me, but let us know what you thought of the game down below or tweet us @overtime_online.
