Reykjavik (AFP)

Three matches, three wins, twelve goals scored, none conceded, and qualification for the 2022 World Cup in sight: the new German coach Hansi Flick made a success of his debut, with a third consecutive success Wednesday 4-0 in Iceland.

After dominating Liechtenstein (2-0) and Armenia (6-0) last week, the "Mannschaft" disposed of the Icelanders without trembling 4-0 in Reykjavik, thanks to goals from Serge Gnabry (5th), Antonio Rüdiger (24th), Leroy Sané (56th) and Timo Werner (88th).

These three points consolidate the quadruple world champions in first place in group J, which they had delighted in Armenia on Sunday.

Of course, no one imagines that Germany does not qualify in this group which is largely within its reach.

But after repeated underperformance of the last three seasons of Joachim Löw - who bowed out after the Euro - Flick's debut was scrutinized by a whole country eager to reconnect with its national team.

The former Bayern coach did not disappoint his compatriots.

His team showed an enthusiasm and a joy to play that seemed to have disappeared since the sad elimination in the first round of the World Cup-2018.

German coach Hans-Dieter Flick, during the European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar against Iceland, on September 8, 2021 in Reykjavik Odd ANDERSEN AFP

His choice of players paid off a lot, and very young boys showed up in the four-star jersey, including the little pearl of Bayern Jamal Musiala, 18, whom Flick himself had unearthed at the training center of " Rekordmeister "when he coached it last season.

- Bayern framework -

The backbone is for the moment that of the Bavarian club, with a core of essentials when they are in good shape, from veterans Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller to young wingers Gnabry and Sané, including the formidable duo of the 'midfield Joshua Kimmich-Goretzka.

Against Iceland, the team did not quite achieve the same gala as against Armenia, due to lack of concentration as the goal approached.

Havertz (55th) and Werner (61st) notably harvested two almost unmissable goals.

But as against Armenia, Serge Gnabry quickly gave his team the advantage, scoring in the 5th minute on a cross from Sané.

German midfielder Serge Gnabry opens the scoring in front of Icelandic defender Victor Palsson and goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson, during European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 8, 2021 in Reykjavik Odd ANDERSEN AFP

Released from the pressure of having to score, Germany then dominated the game with the head and shoulders, and Antonio Rüdiger, the Chelsea defender, doubled the lead from a corner (24th), on a visibly worked combination. with the shooter Kimmich.

German defender Antonio Rüdiger scores the second goal on a corner against Iceland, during the European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 8, 2021 in Reykjavik Odd ANDERSEN AFP

After the break, Sané, who seems to have finally arrived in the German team after being criticized a lot for his lack of commitment, rewarded himself with a good game by placing a powerful shot from close under the bar, at the conclusion of a one-two with his accomplice from Munich Goretzka (3-0, 56th).

And Werner closed the ban at the very end of the match by scoring a penalty point on a service from Havertz (4-0, 89th).

Flick, if he hasn't beaten any big team yet, has already achieved two of his goals: to restore confidence to his team and reconcile them with their home crowd, which has shunned it a lot for the past three years.

© 2021 AFP