Joshua Kimmich ran the show for Germany in their opening World Cup qualifier against Iceland on Thursday night, completing more passes (91) than the entire opposition team in the opening 45 minutes.
The versatile 26-year-old, who has registered 10 assists for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga so far this season - more than any other player in the league - was deployed in midfield against Arnar Viðarsson's side.
And of the 1053 passes that Germany made against Iceland, a total of 176 were from Joshua Kimmich as he once again orchestrated the play in central areas.
Joshua Kimmich made an incredible 176 passes in the game against Iceland; more than any player on the field. He was also the player who most created clear chances in the match (5)
- LeoulPrince :crown: (@LeoulPrince7) March 25, 2021
Dictating the tempo :fire: pic.twitter.com/X5vrg3eq34
In fact, Kimmich completed more passes (91) in the first-half than Iceland did (90) in the opening 45 minutes - a quite remarkable stat as Joachim Löw's side breezed to a 3-0 victory at the MSV-Arena in Duisburg.
Leon Goretzka opened the scoring with just three minutes on the clock before Chelsea playmaker Kai Havertz continued his good run of form to make it 2-0.
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who has scored 13 goals for club and country this season, then made it three in the second-half, but it was Kimmich's performance that got people talking.
Here's some reaction from social media.
Joshua Kimmich is the type of player you'd only truly appreciate after he retires.
- Hatileux Hatidei (@Day_Daz_) March 26, 2021
Joshua Kimmich running the show for Germany once again last night...
- Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) March 26, 2021
Trying to imagine him and KDB in the same midfield pic.twitter.com/3MX1MrJ6U6
Man Joshua Kimmich is a world-class player
- Torre Kong (@Juggheadie) March 26, 2021
Joshua Kimmich was a right back before but he has turned into a world class central midfielder out of no where.
- Vincenzo (@syedjr_) March 26, 2021
German maestro. https://t.co/Jx5fKw0wW4
Ladies and gentlemen, Leon Goretzka Joshua Kimmich
- Lord Lewy ⁹ (@fc_lewy) March 26, 2021
That's it. That's the tweet. pic.twitter.com/1R7XZ6lIFp
Should Kimmich be regarded as one of the best in world football?
It has been a quite remarkable campaign for the Rottweil-born full-back turned deep-lying midfielder, and a clip posted by Bundesliga's official YouTube channel provides a detailed, tactical analysis explaining how Kimmich has evolved into arguably the most complete player in world football right now.
He has certainly established himself as one of Bayern's most important players; thanks in part to his remarkable versatility.
Here's a look at what makes him so good. This is brilliant.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/BM HD
Topics: Football, Joshua Kimmich, Germany, World Cup, Iceland
- Otter accurately predicted Japan would beat Germany at World Cup
- Iranian footballer arrested by authorities days after national team World Cup protest
- Germany team cover mouths in team photo after not being allowed to wear OneLove armband
- Germany are out of the World Cup after a pulsating night of football
.png)
