Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland: Defiant Northern Irish display ultimately ends in defeat | OneFootball

Michael O’Neill’s side fought hard but were undone by defensive errors and a touch of real quality in the second half against Germany.

Northern Ireland fell to defeat against a lacklustre German side as goals from Serge Gnabry, Nadiem Amiri and a brilliant free-kick from Florian Wirtz took the game away from the visitors, who looked to be on course to frustrate the hosts after a brilliant Isaac Price volley levelled things up in the first half.

As it happened

Following on from a disastrous 2-0 defeat at the hands of Slovakia in midweek, Julian Nagelsmann’s side were desperate to get back to winning ways in their World Cup qualifying campaign. They met an O’Neill led Northern Irish side who took apart Luxemburg in midweek to top the group after their first game week.

Although the table suggested otherwise, there was an evident David versus Goliath feel heading into this fixture given the calibre of players and footballing stature that the German team possesses.

However, when the first ball was kicked, any notion that Northern Ireland were going to simply roll over was put to bed. O’Neill’s side pressed the Germans into their own half for the majority of the first half.

The discipline of his side was only broken after a miscommunication at the back led German winger Gnabry through on goal where he calmly chipped the ball over keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

This didn’t deter the Northern Ireland team, however, as they continued to battle and unease what was clearly a disfigured German side. As attitude issues and injuries plagued Nagelsmann’s squad selection, the Northern Irish pressure came to a head when Price volleyed home from a corner to level things up.

Up until the hour mark, it looked as though an upset was on the cards and the German struggles would continue into game-week three. Before another mishap in the Northern Irish defence led substitute Amiri to be greeted with an open goal.

He duly retook the lead for the Germans, who had begun to flex their might and had the visitors penned into their own box since the hour mark.

Before O’Neill could have any dreams of another comeback for his side, Liverpool’s newest superstar Wirtz killed the game with a sublime freekick from 25-yards. As the ball dipped and swerved past Peacock-Farrell’s net, the writing was on the wall for a Northern Ireland side who had fought defiantly yet will ultimately be left disappointed.

O’Neill’s side face Slovakia and another match up with Germany in their next two outings in the October internationals. The strong performances in both games have given hope to a nation. Their largely youthful squad has played with the freedom and discipline needed for knockout football. Captain Trai Hume, full back Conor Bradley and midfielder Justin Devenny all carry premier league pedigree amongst a wealth of other young talent. Should these three stay fit, there is cause for a lot of hope and excitement to follow the team into these next two tests.

The lineups

GER: Baumann; Rudiger, Koch, Anton; Leweling, Kimmich, Gross, Raum; Gnabry, Wirtz; Woltermade

NI: Peacock-Farrell; Hume, McNair, Toal; Bradley, Charles, McCann, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Reid