Honest Nick Woltemade speaks out after match winning effort | OneFootball

Newcastle United fans have become used to seeing Nick Woltemade scoring goals.

The striker having scored in his last three starts for United and despite only five NUFC starts in total so far, has scored four goals already since signed from Stuttgart.

This was a really special one for Nick Woltemade though.

Thrown in the deep end for Germany and having to start every World Cup qualifying match due to injured players, the 23 year old scoring for his country in his fifth start.

A vital goal as well, as his match winning only goal of the game strike, means Germany are now top of their World Cup qualifying group with only two group matches to play.

With a lot of injuries to Germany stars in other attacking/creative positions, the supply to Nick Woltemade has been poor in World Cup qualifiers last month and this. Last night more of the same and the game more of a battle with only five efforts on target the whole game, three for the hosts and one other (apart from the goal) for Germany.

As Newcastle United fans have discovered, Nick Woltemade comes across really well off the pitch as well as on it, very honest and humble when talking to the media. Eddie Howe speaking very highly of his new signing in this respect as well.

Nick Woltemade showing this after scoring that match winner last night, very honest about his form so far for his country and the fact that whilst he did so well to get above the Northern Ireland defence on the corner, it was his shoulder that ended up doing the damage:

“It was very important for me to score my first international goal tonight.

“Personally, I’m not happy so far with my performances for Germany.

“It is actually fitting that I scored with my shoulder.

“It was not a good game but you have to win them too.

“We got the three points and so I’m happy.

“With such a great atmosphere [in Belfast], winning is not a given.

“We are working a lot on set pieces with different variants. I’m glad it worked out tonight.”

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.

Italy v Israel (Sandro Tonali) World Cup group qualifier

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