Bayern Strikes
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Bayern Munich players shine in first game of international break

By Daniel Garza

Germany's midfielder Leon Goretzka runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification football match Germany v Iceland in Duisburg, western Germany on March 25, 2021. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / various sources / AFP) (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Germany's midfielder Leon Goretzka runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification football match Germany v Iceland in Duisburg, western Germany on March 25, 2021. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / various sources / AFP) (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich players are off and running with their respective countries in the March international break. There were a host of players involved in Wednesday and Thursday’s UEFA World Cup qualifying fixtures. Here’s a recap of how Bayern players fared on Matchday One.

Germany cruises to victory

It was a fantastic performance from Germany as they cruised to victory against Iceland. Die Mannschaft won 3-0 to start their qualifying campaign on the right note. Bayern’s Leon Goretzka opened the scoring in the second minute with teammate Serge Gnabry providing the assist. Kai Havertz doubled Germany’s lead minutes later with Leroy Sane recording the assist. In the second half, Ilkay Gundogan added a third goal and Gnabry picked up his second assist of the night.

In total there were five Bayern players in Germany’s starting 11 as Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer joined Sane, Gnabry, and Goretzka. Kimmich displayed his usual pinpoint passing as he finished with three key passes. Neuer recorded the clean sheet and made two saves in the victory.

The sixth Bayern player to feature in the match was Jamal Musiala who made his senior national team debut. Musiala became the youngest player to feature for Germany since 1954. It was a brief appearance as he replaced Havertz in the 78th minute. There should be more opportunities for him to feature for Die Mannschaft in the coming fixtures in the qualification campaign.

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Lewandowski scores massive goal for Poland

It was an impressive comeback by Poland to earn a point against Hungary. At one point, they trailed 2-0 in the second half but rallied to score three goals in the final 30 minutes of the match to record a 3-3 draw.

Robert Lewandowski scored what proved to be the match-tying goal in the 82nd minute. This was a massive goal as it ensured Poland took a point away from a key fixture in the qualifying campaign. The Polish striker just cannot stop scoring irrespective of which team he is playing for.

France held by Ukraine

The defending FIFA World Cup champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Ukraine. There were three Bayern players that featured for Les Bleus as Benjamin Pavard, Kingsley Coman, and Lucas Hernandez were named to the starting 11. Coman and Hernandez both registered two shots apiece and Pavard recorded three key passes. Defensively, Hernandez led France in tackles with three.

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Alaba features for Austria and Richards for the U.S.

David Alaba was in the starting 11 for Austria and played the entire 90 minutes in their 2-2 draw with Scotland. The Bayern defender registered two key passes and two clearances. Elsewhere, Chris Richards entered as a second-half substitute for the United States in their 4-1 victory over Jamaica. Richards, who is currently on loan at Hoffenheim, made just his second appearance for the USMNT. It will be interesting to see if he makes his first appearance in the starting 11 on Sunday against Northern Ireland.