Germany Opens Up US Tour With Win Over Ecuador

Germany opened up its mini-tour of the United States with a 4-2 win over Ecuador in an international friendly in Boca Raton, Florida.

Joachim Low’s men flexed their muscles in the early going scoring four straight goals and never looked back en route to a comfortable victory.

Lukas Podolski and Lars Bender led the way with two goals each as Ecuador looked overmatched in the game played on the campus of Florida Atlantic University.

The Germans wasted no time in opening the scoring as Podolski stole the ball from Gabriel Achilier and ran untouched before slipping a shot past Maximo Banguera just nine seconds into the game.

It was the fastest goal ever scored by a German international, and it was sweet redemption for the Arsenal man who was criticized earlier in the week by national team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

Podolski was delighted with his display and hit back at his doubters after the game.

“Everyone is allowed to express criticism, that goes without saying, but it’s important to come from people that work with me everyday,” he said.

“My son was in the stadium and he celebrated too, everything else that is brought up, comes second.”

Germany went ahead 2-0 in the third minute when Bender made a smart run and unleashed a shot that left Banguera with no chance.

Germany refused to take its foot off the gas pedal and made it 3-0 when Podolski grabbed his second goal of the game 16 minutes into the contest.

The rout was now on and Bender completed his brace when his low shot squeezed through Banguera to make it 4-0 before the 30-minute mark.

Ecuador regrouped at the half-time interval and scored two consolation goals in the second half but the damage was already done.

Germany opened up its US tour with an entertaining win over Ecuador and will complete its visit when it faces the United States on Sunday in Washington.