Germany wrapped up a first-placed finish in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League in style with a 7-0 pummelling of Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Europa-Park Stadion in Freiburg.
Despite already qualifying for the quarter-finals last month, Julian Nagelsmann's men made a massive statement of intent, as Florian Wirtz (2), Leroy Sane, Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala and Tim Kleindienst (2) subjected Bosnia-Herzegovina to their heaviest defeat in senior men's football and saw Germany record the biggest win in Nations League history.
Knowing that victory would guarantee top spot in the section, Die Mannschaft unsurprisingly did not rest on their laurels and needed less than 90 seconds to surge ahead through Musiala's fine header.
The Bayern Munich man and Bayer Leverkusen hotshot Wirtz - who was not expected to start tonight due to illness - were proving far too tricky for the Bosnia-Herzegovina backline to handle, and the latter played key roles in Kleindienst's first Germany goal and Havertz's slick third.
Nagelsmann's men were largely untroubled by their meek visitors, although Oliver Baumann was forced into one crucial stop from Armin Gigovic on the stroke of the break; the Holstein Kiel midfielder's slams of frustration indicated just how big a chance it was.
Even if Gigovic's effort had found the back of the net, it would have been scant consolation for Sergej Barbarez's men, who were breached twice more by the wizard-like Wirtz before Sane and Kleindienst completed the annihilation.
A late injury to Joshua Kimmich was a minor blot on the notebook for the hosts, who have moved onto 13 points from their five games in the section while also confirming Bosnia-Herzegovina's demotion to League B.
Germany's seven-goal thumping also marked a new record loss for the Golden Lilies, whose previous heaviest defeats were 5-0 against Argentina in 1998 and Portugal in 2023.
GERMANY VS. BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HIGHLIGHTS
Jamal Musiala goal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (2nd min, Germany 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina)
© Imago
Germany hit the front foot inside the opening 80 seconds!
Nagelsmann's men engage in some slick passing football before Kimmich sends in a first-time cross for Musiala, who sends a looping header into the far side of the net with the goalkeeper stranded.
Tim Kleindienst goal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (23rd min, Germany 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina)
A first-ever Germany goal for Kleindienst!
Bosnia-Herzegovina can only half-clear their lines after Wirtz's cutback from the left, and Robert Andrich's effort - which may have been going wide - is steered into the bottom corner by the deftest of touches from Kleindienst.
Kai Havertz goal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (37th min, Germany 3-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina)
© Imago
The Arsenal man gets in on the act.
After causing havoc down the left flank for Kleindienst's goal, Wirtz now links up marvellously with Havertz on the right-hand side, playing a neat one-two with the 25-year-old before the Gooner sweeps home the hosts' third into the far corner.
Florian Wirtz goal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (50th min, Germany 4-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina)
A case of questionable goalkeeping or a simply unstoppable free kick?
The indomitable Wirtz lines up a set-piece a good 25 yards from goal, which swerves and dips before crashing into the roof of the net over the outstretched arm of Nikola Vasilj.
Florian Wirtz goal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (57th min, Germany 5-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina)
More appalling defending from the Golden Lilies, more ruthlessness from Germany, as Wirtz puts the seal on a five-star performance.
One of the messier goals that Nagelsmann's men will score, Havertz has two bites of the cherries on the left-hand side but eventually gets the ball across the six-yard box, where Wirtz is waiting at the back stick to tap home his second.
Leroy Sane goal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (66th min, Germany 6-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Germany's sixth is most definitely a case of questionable goalkeeping from Vasilj, but take nothing away from the absolutely sublime touch from substitute Sane to set himself up for the chance.
The hosts immediately win the ball back from a poor goal kick, and Havertz volleys the ball through to Sane, who produces a magnificent piece of control to work the angle before his left-footed strike goes through Vasilj's weak grasp.
Tim Kleindienst goal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (79th min, Germany 7-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina)
© Imago
After waiting 29 years to score his first senior goal for Germany, two have come on the same night for Kleindienst, who gets away from his marker and sticks out a boot to divert Antonio Rudiger's sumptuous cross into the back of the net.
MAN OF THE MATCH - FLORIAN WIRTZ
© Imago
One could sympathise with Wirtz being taken off just a minute after scoring his second, as the 21-year-old could have very well taken home the match ball, but Bosnia-Herzegovina would have been glad to see the back of him after a dazzling hour of football.
After setting up Havertz's first-half strike and also playing a huge part in Kleindienst's strike, Wirtz helped himself to two quickfire goals after the restart - all after struggling with a stomach bug during the week - and has likely added a few more pounds to his ever-increasing transfer value.
GERMANY VS. BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA MATCH STATS
Possession: Germany 73%-27% Bosnia-Herzegovina
Shots: Germany 23-7 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Shots on target: Germany 13-3 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Corners: Germany 3-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Fouls: Germany 7-12 Bosnia-Herzegovina
BEST STAT
That's 10 goals for Florian Wirtz this season for club and country 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/8XVBPU9B1S
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 16, 2024
Germany looking VERY strong 💪#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/IcKP6F5rOr
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 16, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
Germany have two complete days to recover before their final dead rubber against Hungary on Tuesday, while already-relegated Bosnia-Herzegovina are also only playing for personal pride against the Dutch at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on November 19.
Ben Knapton
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