New Germany coach Hansi Flick got his reign off to a winning start as Timo Werner and Leroy Sane scored in a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein in their World Cup Group J qualifier on Thursday, but once again the Germans struggled in front of goal.
It took 41 minutes of complete dominance before Werner finally got the first goal of the Flick era, latching on to a superb pass from Jamal Musiala before slotting the ball home with his right foot.
Timo Werner gave Germany the lead just before half-time with a well slotted finish
MATCH FACTS
Liechtenstein(5-3-2) Buchel, Wolfinger, Malin, Kaufmann, Hofer, Goppel, Frommelt, Hasler, Frick (Kardesoglu 71), Sele (Wolfinger 61), Frick (Grünenfelder 71)
Subs not used: Spirig, Koller, Hobi, Büchel, Kollmann, Yildiz, Lo Russo, Ospelt
Manager: Martin Stocklasa
Germany (4-2-3-1) Leno, Baku (Hofmann 60), Kehrer, Sule, Gosens, Kimmich, Musiala (Reus 60), Havertz (Gnabry 60), Sane, Werner
Subs not used: Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Goretzka, Adeyemi, Wirtz, Raum, Dahoud, Trapp
Scorers: Werner (41) Sane (77)
Manager: Hansi Flick
Referee: Fábio Veríssimo
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Liechtenstein continued to frustrate the Germans until the 77th minute when Sane was finally rewarded for his industry, dancing to his left in the box before rattling a low shot in at the far post to make, but the Germans will be deeply unhappy that their dominance did not lead to more goals.