Germany go through the gears to see off Slovakia
No other outcome was likely, Germany not looking back from the moment Jérôme Boateng gave them an early lead. Mario Gomez and Julian Draxler also found the net in a display which will have made the rest of the tournament sit up and take even starker notice of the world champions.
Indeed Sami Khedira had already threatened with a header when Boateng's eighth-minute volley deflected in off Milan Škriniar. The ricochet was key, but the technique was impressive from a central defender who had barely trained all week due to a calf injury.
Mesut Özil could have cemented victory after 14 minutes but his penalty – Martin Škrtel had tugged Gomez's shirt – was saved by Matúš KozáÄik. Though the Arsenal man and Draxler both went close amid relentless German pressure, Slovakia might have drawn level had Juraj Kucka directed his close-range header beyond Manuel Neuer's reach.
Two minutes later it was game over, Gomez turning in after a fine run and cutback from Draxler. The Schalke forward, a surprise starter in place of Mario Götze, was excellent and got a deserved goal of his own when he hooked a smart volley into the roof of the net from a corner just after the hour.
There was further pressure, Toni Kroos denied at the death, but Germany's work was done – they eased off the gas to ready themselves for bigger tests to come.
Man of the match: Julian Draxler (Germany)
Credit: UEFA.com
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