Leroy Sane scores maiden International goal

Manchester City star Leroy Sane scored his first goal for Germany as Joachim Löw's side eased past Russia.

A first half packed with pace, power and goals allowed a fresh-looking German side to dispatch World Cup quarterfinalists Russia in their penultimate game of a difficult 2018.

Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry and Kai Havertz lined up behind Timo Werner and the home side’s front four caused Russia problems from the outset. As such, it was no surprise when three of them teamed up for the first goal. Werner dropped deep to feed Gnabry and the Bayern man squared for Sane to sweep home his first Germany goal.

Sane could have had his second Germany goal but sent his free header straight at Andrey Lunev.

Niklas Süle followed suit soon after when some dreadful Russian defending allowed him the time and space to stroke home from a corner to open his Germany account.

The pace and movement of Germany’s younger players was causing all manner of problems for the World Cup hosts and the third felt inevitable.

This time Havertz was the star, if not the scorer. The Leverkusen teenager gathered a ball from Süle on the half turn and released Gnabry in one movement. Gnabry was just as decisive with his finish, blasting home first time from just inside the box.

This win will do little to reduce the pressure on the Germany head coach but a confident display from a side missing several regulars should boost morale ahead of Monday's clash with Holland.

It has been a miserable year for Joachim Low, whose side are on the brink of relegation from the elite league of European clubs mere months after an embarrassing group stage exit at the World Cup.