Germany scored four first-half goals in a 4-2 away win against Ecuador, despite missing their Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich contingent.
Germany opened the scoring after just eight seconds, as Podolski pounced on a weak back pass before coolly chipping the ball over Alexander Dominguez.
Lars Bender capitalised on another mistake to make it 2-0 to Germany within four minutes. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder intercepted Juan Carlos Paredes' pass before lashing the ball into the back of the net.
Podolski doubled his tally on 17 minutes, after volleying home a cross from Max Kruse, who was making his debut for the national team.
Things went from bad to worse for Ecuador on 25 minutes, as Podolski turned provider. His pass found Lars Bender, who lobbed Dominguez to put Germany four goals up with more than an hour left on the clock.
With half time approaching, Antonio Valencia robbed Per Mertesacker before finishing smartly to give the home side a glimmer of hope.
Ecuador started the second half brightly, as Valencia and Christian Benitez squandered good chances.
With five minutes remaining, Ecuador captain Walter Ayovi fired home a free-kick to make it a nervy finish for Joachim Low's side, as Michael Quiñónez's 20-yard piledriver flew just wide of the post.
However, Germany held on to secure a comfortable win.
Kristian Johnson
