Julian Nagelsmann reflecting on Northern Ireland 0 Germany 1 and Nick Woltemade contribution | OneFootball

Julian Nagelsmann watched on as Nick Woltemade proved the match winner for Germany.

A huge result in Belfast on Monday night.

A real battle of a match with few chances at either end (Northern Ireland three efforts on target and Germany only two).

Julian Nagelsmann seeing Nick Woltemade get the vital goal on 31 minutes that puts Germany in charge of the group with two games left to play.

World Cup qualification now very much in their own hands.

Julian Nagelsmann reflecting on Northern Ireland 0 Germany 1:

“It wasn’t a pretty game.

“There was a lot of emotion and a great atmosphere supporting the Northern Irish which we managed to embrace.

“Northern Ireland looked to play direct and win the second or third balls. They made a lot of runs in behind and sometimes had nine or ten players up front which meant there were a lot of people to defend.

“The midfielders had to make a lot of challenges and break up play.

“We had a lot of set pieces and managed to score from one, which I’m pleased with as we work on them a lot in training.

“Nick Woltemade has worked a lot harder in the past couple of games.

“We didn’t create enough chances today and ended up only winning by a small margin.

“It was important that we won both games.

“It’s difficult to win games like this and play attractive football.”

Joshua Kimmich also talking about this vital win:

“The first half was chaotic.

“We found our feet in the second half, but only for a short period of time.

“It was a real fight today. It was all about the result though – everyone just wants to qualify for the tournament. The ball’s in our court now.

“It certainly wasn’t a brilliant performance today, but it was an important three points for us as a team.”

This is the October 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 9 October

England 3 Wales 0

Anthony Gordon with an excellent first half, as did most of his teammates. England roared into a 3-0 lead after only 20 minutes and then as the game went on, they coasted to victory and countless subs made. Gordon the only one of the front six to play the full game, whilst Dan Burn an unused sub.

Friday 10 October

South Korea 0 Brazil 5

A world class assist from Bruno Guimaraes setting up Estevao to score the opener in this friendly. Joelinton remaining on the bench for the entirety of the game, Bruno subbed off on 79 minutes.

Germany 4  Luxembourg 0

An excellent team performance with Nick Woltemade leading the line for Germany.

The Newcastle United striker didn’t score himself but led the line so well, with link up play and his all round game helping to deliver a commanding victory in this World Cup group qualifier.

Sweden 0 Switzerland 2

Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga watching on from the bench as this must win World Cup group qualifier ended in defeat.

Sweden standing next to no chance now of appearing at the 2026 finals.

With three group games still left to play, Sweden eight points behind Switzerland.

Saturday 11 October

Estonia 1 Italy 3

Sandro Tonali bossing this World Cup group qualifier, rated man of the match across the Italian media and Football Italia perfectly summing up his brilliant performance…

‘Italy had a few strong performers tonight but the Newcastle United man was in a league of his own today. Harking back to the iconic Italian centre-mids of yore, the 25-year-old showed his class this evening.’

Monday 13 October

Northern Ireland 0 Germany 1

What a moment for Nick Woltemade to get his first goal for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier. The only goal of the game as the Newcastle United striker rises highest to head (‘slight’ suspicion it came off his shoulder…) home in the 31st minute. A tough night in Belfast, a real battle, but Germany now in such a strong position top of their group with only two games to play, only the group winners will automatically qualify for the 2026 finals. Nick Woltemade putting in a 92 minute shift and only subbed off in the dying seconds.

Sweden 0 Kosovo 1

An embarrassing home defeat for Sweden and left bottom of the table with one point after four games and only two matches left to play. Anthony Elanga named on the bench for this World Cup group qualifier and watched on as Sweden trailed 1-0 at half-time, though it could have been 2-0 as Kosovo also hit the post. Elanga one of three subs made at the break and he sparked Sweden belatedly into life, putting a series of quality crosses in but Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak wasting chance after chance.

Tuesday 14 October

Italy v Israel (Sandro Tonali) World Cup group qualifier

Latvia v England (Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn) World Cup group qualifier