Nick Woltemade assists Germany to vital World Cup qualifying group victory | OneFootball

A vital win for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier and it took Nick Woltemade just seven minutes to make his mark.

The Newcastle United striker playing in Serge Gnabry to give the home side the lead.

Only for West Brom’s Isaac Price to grab a 34th minute equaliser for Northern Ireland.

Germany’s goalscorer Gnabry and Woltemade who provided the assist, were both subbed off after an hour. Eventually Amiri and Wirtz getting the goals that ensured victory.

Another unconvincing performance by Germany and woeful service to Nick Woltemade up front, a striker who likes to get the ball into feet.

The Newcastle United signing has been thrown in the deep end making only his third and fourth appearances for Germany in these September World Cup group qualifiers. An injury crisis ruling out a number of key players, especially creative ones.

A poor performance by Germany and the inexperienced Woltemade no better or worse than the rest. He has had to start both matches with no other credible strikers available and indeed when subbed off on Sunday night, it was an attacking midfielder (Amiri) who replaced the NUFC player, with no strikers on the bench.

The eventual win was proved even more important with news that Slovakia had scored a last minute winner, Martin Dubravka keeping a clean sheet against Luxembourg, just as he had done on Thursday in Slovakia’s opening group game 2-0 win over Germany.

Only the group winners automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals, so with only four more group games to play, Germany already up against it to finish ahead of Slovakia.

Good news for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United is that with Germany playing their games early in this international fortnight, Nick Woltemade can now get back to Tyneside and get involved in the preparations for Saturday’s match against Wolves.

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

Thursday 4 September

Slovakia 2 Germany 0

Nick Woltemade making his third appearance for Germany but starved of service. Germany missing many of their best players, especially creatively. Germany deservedly beaten in their opening World Cup group qualifier. Rudiger and Tah especially poor in defence.

Friday 5 September

Brazil 3 Chile 0

Bruno Guimaraes putting in a top class performance in this dominant World Cup group qualifier victory. Topping it off by scoring the third and final goal, Bruno rated man of the match. Joelinton not named in the matchday squad and it appears he has stayed in Newcastle to make sure he comes back from injury against Wolves in eight days time.

Slovenia 2 Sweden 2

Emil Krafth remained on the bench as Sweden drew their first of six World Cup group qualifying matches. Anthony Elanga with a very good performance and scored a top quality goal when running from the halfway line, playing a one-two and applying a class finish, to give Sweden the lead on 18 minutes. Having departed as part of a double substitution on 64 minutes at 1-1, Anthony Elanga watching on from the bench as Sweden once again took the lead, only for heartbreak as a last gasp bit of poor defending allowed Slovenia a 90th minute equaliser.

South Sudan 1 DR Congo 4

Great news for Newcastle United and DR Congo, as Yoane Wissa looking good fitness-wise and in form. An assist and a goal, then subbed when 4-0 up to save him for Tuesday’s massive game against Senegal,, which could well decide which of the two qualifies for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Italy 5 Estonia 0

A typical quality all action display from Sandro Tonali. A match that Italy had to win and which they did very convincingly. The United midfielder one of a number of players rested once the match was won, Tonali subbed off at 3-0 on 76 minutes.

Denmark 0 Scotland 0

A first senior call up for Will Osula but the Newcastle United forward watched from the bench, as Denmark failing to score and disappointed not to win an opening World Cup group qualifying match they could and should have won.

Saturday 6 September

England 2 Andorra 0

The Newcastle United trio did themselves no harm in this tedious victory. Dan Burn probably had more touches than any other player as Andorra camped in their own half, the Newcastle defender never troubled in defence as he played the full game and was a threat at corners a couple of times, though most of the crosses were woeful. A first half own goal and a good second-half Rice header from a James cross, were the goals that earned the win. Gordon and Livramento were given the last 20 minutes and helped inject a little bit more spark and intensity, along with fellow subs Rogers and Gibbs-White.

Sunday 7 September

Germany 3 Northern Ireland 1

A vital win for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier and it took Nick Woltemade just seven minutes to make his mark. The Newcastle United striker playing in Serge Gnabry to give the home side the lead. Only for West Brom’s Isaac Price to grab a 34th minute equaliser for Northern Ireland. Germany’s goalscorer Gnabry and Woltemade who provided the assist, were both subbed off after an hour. Eventually Amiri and Wirtz getting the goals that ensured victory.

Monday 8 September

Israel v Italy (Sandro Tonali) World Cup group qualifier (Neutral venue – Hungary)

Greece v Denmark (Will Osula) World Cup group qualifier

Kosovo v Sweden (Emil Krafth, Anthony Elanga) World Cup group qualifier

Kazakhstan U21s v England U21s (Lewis Miley) U21s European Championship group qualifier

Tuesday 9 September

Serbia v England (Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento) World Cup group qualifier