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VADUZ, Liechtenstein (AP) -Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski scored two goals Saturday to help Germany get off to a winning start in World Cup qualifying with a 6-0 victory over Liechtenstein.
Podolski scored in the 21st and 48th minutes, with both goals coming off passes from Hamburger SV midfielder Piotr Trochowski. Simon Rolfes scored in the 65th and Bastian Schweinsteiger added the fourth in the 66th.
Thomas Hitzlsperger made it 5-0 in the 76th when his free kick was deflected into the net, and Heiko Westermann notched the sixth in the 87th.
Germany dominated the match in pouring rain and could have scored several more goals, although it played without injured captain Michael Ballack and his midfield colleague Torsten Frings.
"I always look forward to playing for the national team," said Podolski, who now has 30 goals in 57 games for Germany. "I get the opportunity to play, I feel the support of the coach and I feel comfortable in this group."
Podolski still has not become a regular starter at Bayern but remains one of Germany's top performers in the national team.
He used a good through pass from Trochowski to break through and beat goalkeeper Peter Jehle with a crisp shot inside the far post for the opening goal.
Three minutes into the second half, Podolski collected another through ball from Trochowski and buried a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
Jehle fumbled a corner to allow Rolfes to score his first goal for Germany.
A minute later, Podolski won a high ball in midfield and sent Schweinsteiger, his Bayern teammate, racing alone on goal and he chipped the ball over Jehle.
With Liechtenstein mostly trying to limit the damage, Hitzlsperger stepped up for a free kick from 20 meters (yards) and his shot was deflected slightly by Mario Frick to beat Jehle.
Westermann, a central defender from Schalke, rose to head in a corner to complete Germany's expected victory.
"We came here to earn three points and we did that," Hitzlsperger said.
The Germans, who finished runner-up to Spain at the European Championship in June, next play Finland in Helsinki on Wednesday in Group 4.
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Lineups:
Liechtenstein: Peter Jehle, Fabio D'Elia, Martin Stocklasa, Andreas Gerster, Franz Burgmeier, Marco Ritzberger, Martin Buechel, Michele Polverino (Raphael Rohrer, 64), Mathias Christen (Thomas Beck, 74), Beni Fischer (Ronny Buechel, 87), Mario Frick.
Germany: Robert Enke, Clemens Fritz, Serdar Tasci, Heiko Westermann, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Simon Rolfes (Marko Marin, 69), Thomas Hitzlsperger, Piotr Trochowski, Miroslav Klose (Mario Gomez, 65), Lukas Podolski (Kevin Kuranyi, 76).
