Germany retain top spot in FIFA World Cup qualifying with narrow win over Northern Ireland

Nick Woltemade opened his international account as Germany retained their place at the summit of Group A of European qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Belfast.

Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany
Goals: 0-1 Woltemade 31' (assist: Raum)

Julian Nagelsmann's men entered the encounter at the top of their group on six points, albeit only ahead of Slovakia and Northern Ireland on goal difference, setting up an intriguing encounter at Windsor Park.

The first half was a tight affair, with the raucous home support in the Northern Irish capital cheering every tackle and intervention from their side. Chances were few and far between, with Florian Wirtz's shot over the bar and Aleksandar Pavlović's attempt that curled narrowly wide comprising the visitors' only two real efforts in the opening half-hour.

In fact, the home team thought they had taken the lead when Daniel Ballard poked home from close range following a goalmouth scramble. However, the goal was ruled out as Paddy McNair was offside in the build-up.

Ultimately, Germany went into the break with their noses in front as they broke the deadlock through Woltemade, whose attempted header ended up going in off his back from David Raum's corner.

Within minutes of the restart, Karim Adeyemi had a gilt-edged opportunity to extend Germany's advantage but curled narrowly wide of the post from Wirtz's through ball. At the other end, Shea Charles was denied by Oliver Baumann before Serge Gnabry forced Bailey Peacock-Farrell into action midway through the half.

Germany came through a battle in Belfast to prevail. - IMAGO/Herbertz / Nico Herbertz

As full-time approached, Northern Ireland increased their pressure on the Germany goal. But Nagelsmann's backline stood strong to secure an important three points in their quest for a spot at next summer's showpiece, although Baumann was called into action to to keep out Callum Marshall's low shot.

Nagelsmann and Co. are still ahead of Slovakia, whom they face in November, on goal difference only. Ahead of that match, they will travel to Luxembourg in their penultimate qualification game.

Match stats

• Joshua Kimmich now sits joint-tenth spot on Germany's all-time appearance list.
• Gnabry - who has three goals in six games in this season's Bundesliga - is on 24 goals for his country. 
• Nagelsmann’s record over his first 28 matches as Germany head coach reads: W16, D6, L6.
• This was Northern Ireland's first defeat in their past seven matches at Windsor Park.
• Germany have now picked up clean sheets in back-to-back games after conceding in each of their previous seven outings.
• Germany have never failed to qualify for a World Cup.

Woltemade's header was ultimately all that Germany needed. - PAUL FAITH

Teams

Germany: Baumann - Kimmich (c), Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum - Goretzka, Pavlović (Anton 87') - Wirtz (Burkardt 90'+1), Gnabry (Andrich 87'), Adeyemi (Beier 65') - Woltemade (Baku 90'+1)
Unused subs: Nübel, Dahmen, Amiri, Brown, Koch, Nmecha, Stiller
Out: Atubolu (knee), Füllkrug (calf), Havertz (knee), Leweling (groin), Musiala (ankle), Rüdiger (hamstring), Schade (did not travel)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell - Spencer, Ballard, McNair (Smyth 75'), Hume (c), Devenny - Galbraith, S. Charles, McCann (Marshall 75') - Reid (Magennis 46'), Price
Unused subs: Hazard, Southwood, Devlin, D. Charles, Toal, Saville, Donley, McConville, McDonnell
Out: Bradley (suspended)
Coach: Michael O'Neill

As it happened!

0 - 1

(0 - 1)

N. Ireland

FINAL

Germany

FIFA World Cup
Qualifying, Group A Qualifying, Group A Windsor Park, Belfast

Full-time: Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany

Germany manage to hold onto their lead provided to them courtesy of Nick Woltemade's first ever senior goal for his country. Karim Adeyemi had the chance to put his side into cruise control minutes after the restart, but couldn't find the target. The hosts threw everything forward to try and find a response, but the Germany defence held firm to secure victory.

© IMAGO/Herbertz / Nico Herbertz

Full-time

90'

+ 3

Tempers flare

Yellow cards are shown to Andrich, Charles and Magennis after a brawl breaks out in the aftermath of Northern Ireland's late corner.

90'

+ 3

Yellow card

Robert Andrich

90'

+ 3

Yellow card

Shea Charles

90'

+ 3

Yellow card

Josh Magennis

90'

+ 3

Magennis!

Again, Northern Ireland throw everything forward. The ball pops up for Magennis at the edge of the box, but it's blocked behind for a corner, upon which the hosts don't manage to capitalise.

90'

+ 2

Substitution

Ridle Baku

Florian Wirtz

90'

+ 2

Substitution

Jonathan Burkardt

Nick Woltemade

90'

+ 1

Stoppage time

Two additional minutes have been indicated.

90'

+ 1

Smyth wins the corner

The No.11's cross is deflected behind by Raum for a corner for the hosts late on, but Devenny's subsequent delivery is overhit and goes behind for a goal-kick.

88'

Marshall through on goal!

What a chance for the equaliser! Hume slips substitute Marshall through inside the Germany penalty area, however the young striker's finish is straight at Baumann.

87'

Shoring things up

Nagelsmann now opts for a double change, bringing on the defensive pairing of Anton and Andrich for Pavlović and Gnabry as Germany try to hand on to their slender lead.

86'

Substitution

Waldemar Anton

Aleksandar Pavlović

86'

Substitution

Robert Andrich

Serge Gnabry

85'

Just off target

Another Northern Ireland free-kick is played in from deep. Germany head it clear to the edge of the box, where Price takes on the rebound, his effort whistling past the left post beyond the out-stretched Baumann.

82'

Hume hits one

The defender peels off the Northern Ireland right flank before letting fly from 35 yards. His speculative effort is blocked on the edge of the Germany penalty area.

Still the difference

Woltemade's first half opener remains all that separates these sides here with just over 10 minutes to play.

© PAUL FAITH

77'

Charles' effort blocked

Northern Ireland combine excellently down the right flank before teeing up Charles on the edge of the Germany box, however; his effort is blocked.

75'

Double change

Michael O'Neill goes to the bench again, this time making a double substitution. It's an attacking-minded change, with Marshall and Smyth both being brought on to bolster Northern Ireland's offensive options.

75'

Substitution

Callum Marshall

Alistair McCann

75'

Substitution

Paul Smyth

Paddy McNair

71'

Raum takes

It's another dangerous delivery from Raum, but the hosts are first to it. They only manage to clear as far as Beier on the edge of the box, but his follow-up effort is miscued.

70'

Lashed by Gnabry

Tah picks out Gnabry on the right side of the Northern Ireland box. The Bayern man opens his body up and unleashes a powerful effort towards the near post, which Peacock-Farrell beats behind for a corner.

67'

In by Charles

The wing-back takes a Northern Ireland corner from the right, but Tah rises highest to head it to safety for the visitors.

Adeyemi departs

The winger had the opportunity to double Germany's advantage just minutes into the second half, but he couldn't take his chance. He has since been replaced by Beier.

© PAUL FAITH

64'

Nagelsmann goes to the bench

The first Germany change of the night sees Beier replace his Dortmund colleague Adeyemi, who had picked up a yellow card, as Nagelsmann looks to regain control in the second half here.

64'

Substitution

Maximilian Beier

Karim Adeyemi

64'

McCann goes down!

The midfielder bursts into the Germany box and goes down under the challenge of Pavlović. The home crowd erupts in protest of a penalty kick, but the referee is right to not give it.

62'

First German yellow

Adeyemi picks up Germany's first booking of the evening.

62'

Yellow card

Karim Adeyemi

60'

Galbraith!

This time, Northern Ireland attack down the left. Space opens up for Galbraith, who aims a low shot towards the near post. It takes a deflection on its way through, landing in the side netting. Devenny takes the subsequent corner - the hosts' first of the game - but Germany manage to clear.

59'

Baumann makes the save

Price picks out Charles on the hosts' right. The ball pops up nicely for the wide man to hit inside the Germany box, but his powerful effort is straight at Baumann, who manages to parry.

Physical second half

The Northern Ireland team have emerged in the second half a much more energetic side than they were in the first and are causing problems for Germany.

© IMAGO/Marc Schueler

53'

Wirtz takes a tumble

The playmaker beats Charles down Germany's left before bursting into the box, where he goes down under the recovery challenge from Charles. Germany scream for a penalty, but the referee correctly dismisses the protest.

52'

High tempo

So far, the second half is being played at a breakneck pace. Neither side has really given the other the opportunity to settle into it since the restart.

50'

Overhit

Spencer is played in behind down the right flank for the hosts. He tries to find Devenny at the far post with a driven cross, but he puts too much on it and the chance goes begging.

49'

In by Charles

The hosts have another free-kick from a promising position inside the Germany half. Charles takes, finding Price at the far post, but the forward's finish is wayward.

47'

Adeyemi through on goal!

Immediately, Adeyemi is played clean through down the right channel. The Dortmund winger bears down on goal, but his finish is wide of the post. What a let off for the hosts early in the second half...

46'

Back underway!

The ball is rolling again for the second half here and it's Northern Ireland who kick off.

46'

Substitution

Josh Magennis

Jamie Reid

Kick-off!

Half-time: Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany

So, it's Germany who head in at the interval with a slender lead thanks to Nick Woltemade's headed opener after half an hour played. The visitors survived an early scare after Northern Ireland thought they had taken an early lead through Ballard, only for it to be retroactively scrubbed off for offside. Despite the goal, clear-cut chances have been hard to come by for both sides so far, so a potentially more open second half could be on the cards here in Belfast...

© PAUL FAITH

Half-time

45'

+ 4

Final chance of the half

Tah concedes a free-kick on Reid halfway inside the Germany half. Charles floats the ball in. It's met by a German head, but drops for McNair, who strikes from distance, his effort flying just wide of the right post.

45'

+ 2

Another booking

Galbraith is the next player to be cautioned, this time for a late challenge on Pavlović.

45'

+ 2

Yellow card

Ethan Galbraith

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

Three additional minutes have been indicated.

45'

Couldn't find Gnabry

Wirtz tries to float a ball in towards Gnabry, who had made a good run into the hosts' box. However, he can't quite pick out the Bayern man and the chance goes begging.

43'

Skied

Galbraith beats his man down the hosts' left before picking out Reid on the edge of the Germany area. In trying to reach the ball, the forward leans back too much when connecting with it, sending his effort well over the bar. That was a good chance for Northern Ireland.

42'

Miscontrolled

Adeyemi tries to pick out a run in behind from Raum. However, the covering Spencer just gets his head to it, forcing Raum to miscontrol it behind for a Northern Ireland goal-kick.

38'

Threatening from set-pieces

Northern Ireland have another free-kick just inside Germany's half. It's taken short to Devenny, who puts a cross in towards Ballard. The defender knocks it down for Reid, whose header isn't powerful enough to trouble Baumann.

Unconventional finish

Woltemade went for the header but ended up putting the ball in the back of the net with his shoulder!

© Charles McQuillan

31'

Woltemade opens the scoring!

Germany have the lead just after the half-hour mark. Raum plays an in-swinging corner from the right into the six yard box. Woltemade rises highest, guiding it past Peacock-Farrell with his shoulder. Following a brief VAR check for a potential handball, the goal stands.

31'

Nick Woltemade

GOAL!

0:1

28'

First booking

Reid sees the first yellow card of the game for a late challenge on Schlotterbeck, who is still down receiving treatment, following the challenge.

28'

Yellow card

Jamie Reid

25'

In by Raum

The full-back swings a corner in from the right, but the Northern Ireland defenders manage to clear from the near post.

Goal disallowed

The home crowd erupted after they thought Ballard had given them the lead, only for his opener to be chalked off for offside.

© Charles McQuillan

20'

Germany look to counter

Up the other end, Wirtz pounces on a loose ball at the back by the hosts. He tries to wriggle free from three markers, but is dispossessed. However, Germany rework it to Pavlović, who shoots from the edge of the area, his effort flying narrowly over the bar.

19'

Into the wall

Kimmich concedes a free-kick right on the edge of the Germany box. Price takes it for the hosts, smashing the ball straight into the wall.

15'

Huge let off!

Peacock-Farrell takes a free-kick from near the halfway line. Ballard wins the initial header, flicking the ball on for McNair. In amidst a goal-mouth scramble, Baumann makes a fantastic double save - first from McNair, and then from Reid - before the ball drops back for Ballard, who smashes home into the roof of the net. The Northern Ireland celebrations are cut short, however, as the goal is disallowed for an offside in the build-up.

11'

Speculative

Germany enjoy a spell of prolonged possession which culminates in Schlotterbeck picking the ball up about 35 yards from goal. The Dortmund defender hits one from range, his effort flying not far off target.

8'

Wayward

Kimmich takes the corner, which the hosts initially deal with, but the Germans get the ball back into the box, where Wirtz is poised to strike. However, the former Leverkusen man gets his finish all wrong and blasts it high and wide of the mark.

6'

Huge chance!

Wirtz fizzes a cross in towards Gnabry from the right. The Bayern man touches it down for Goretzka, who lines up a shot but the ball is half-cleared before he can pull the trigger. The Germany players scream for a penalty for the challenge on the midfielder, which has since been checked and cleared by the VAR. Germany then rework the ball to Raum on the edge of the area, whose subsequent effort is blocked behind for a corner.

3'

Early free-kick

Gnabry draws a foul by the right touchline inside the Northern Ireland half. It's Kimmich who takes it, but the short delivery to Wirtz is read brilliantly by the hosts, who intercept before clearing.

1'

And we're off!

It's the German visitors who get the ball rolling here in Belfast.

Kick-off!

'Woltemessi' up for it

Could the big man score the decisive goal here between the top two of Group A?

© IMAGO/Herbertz / Nico Herbertz

Boys in the house

The pre-match pitch inspection is underway here in Belfast.

© IMAGO/Herbertz / Nico Herbertz

Belfast a tough place to go

Northern Ireland are unbeaten in their last eight home matches. The last defeat on home soil dates back to 17 October, 2023 (1-0 to Slovenia). Out of the 18 matches played against Northern Ireland so far, the German team have lost only two, with 14 wins and four draws.

More on that Germany side

Julian Nagelsmann goes one better and names an unchanged side from the 4-0 win over Luxembourg on Friday evening.

© Pau Barrena

More on that Northern Ireland side

Northern Ireland coach Michael O'Neill makes just one change to his side that defeated Slovakia 2-0 in their last outing. Brodie Spencer comes in for the injured captain Connor Bradley.

© Charles McQuillan

Germany starting XI

Baumann - Kimmich (c), Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum - Goretzka, Pavlović - Wirtz, Gnabry, Adeyemi - Woltemade

Germany subs

Nübel, Dahmen, Amiri, Andrich, Anton, Baku, Beier, Brown, Burkardt, Koch, Nmecha, Stiller

Northern Ireland starting XI

Peacock-Farrell - Spencer, Ballard, McNair, Hume (c), Devenny - Galbraith, Charles, McCann - Reid, Price

Northern Ireland subs

Hazard, Southwood, Devlin, Charles, Magennis, Toal, Saville, Marshall, Donley, Smyth, McConville, McDonnell

Serge Gnabry to maintain perfect record?

In the three times that Gnabry has faced Northern Ireland, he's been on the scoresheet on each occasion. He scored the first of Germany's three goals in last month's win, as well as netting four times in two games against them in 2019. Three of those four goals came in one game in November of that year, setting them on their way to a 6-1 win at Deutsche Bank Park.

© Bernd Müller via www.imago-images.de

1:22

Watch: Schlotter-back!

Nico Schlotterbeck reacts after making his long-awaiting return from injury in Borussia Dortmund's 1-0 win over Wolfsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 4.

Schlotterbeck on his defensive partnership with Jonathan Tah

"He's very communicative on the pitch. That's important to me. Defensively, he's an extremely strong defender. I'm always happy to play with him. The ball aspect is more interesting to me, but he's perhaps the better defender; we complement each other well in that regard."

© IMAGO/Maik Hölter/TEAM2sportphoto

Nico Schlotterbeck on facing Northern Ireland at Windsor Park

"I think that as a footballer, you look forward to games like this. It may be smaller here, but it's just as loud. I'm really looking forward to the atmosphere and the game. We want to build on our success against Northern Ireland to stay top of the group. Like in the Bundesliga, there are many teams that play the ball behind the defense. It's important to be alert and active with and against the ball."

© IMAGO/Herbertz / Nico Herbertz

Northern Ireland "not easy to beat"

Nagelsmann now expects more of the same in the second fixture, adding: "They have a really special way [of playing] and we need every player on the pitch to defend these situations. The first leg, it was not easy to beat this team. They play a lot of long balls, they cover all the space, and to win the second ball, you have to fight, the third and the fourth balls as well."

Nagelsmann clarifies comments

After Germany's win in the reverse fixture, Nageslamnn described Northern Ireland as "not brilliant to watch" - comments he sought to clarify by telling media: "They have a special mood in the team, and I also mentioned it's very difficult to beat this team, they don't concede many goals and create a lot of chances also by set-pieces by doing this way. If anybody felt it was disrespectful, I will say sorry. I did not mean it as disrespectful; it was with a lot of respect for the team and the way they play."

© INA FASSBENDER

5:07

Burkardt's 24/25 Bundesliga goals

The Germany striker showed at Mainz last season he has a great eye for finding the net, before switching to Frankfurt in the summer.

Time to strike it lucky?

Interestingly, the three strikers in the Germany squad - Maximilian Beier, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Burkardt - are all still to open their full international goalscoring accounts, despite 15 caps between them. Perhaps one or two of those will change that in Belfast.

Two stay at home

Noah Atubolu (pictured) and Kevin Schade were not on the plane heading for Belfast on Sunday, and will therefore not be in the 23-man matchday squad, with Atubolu unable to train on Sunday due to a knee injury.

© IMAGO/UWE KRAFT

Michael O'Neill on a second chance against Germany

"There's a lot of fatigue between the games. You have to recover but it's a great game to be involved in. We gave a good account of ourselves, we were disappointed in Cologne that we didn't come away with something so hopefully we can on Monday."

© IMAGO/Vagelis Georgariou

Leweling heads home

After missing the win over Luxembourg due to an adductor problem, Jamie Leweling has now left the camp and will also miss their trip to Belfast.

© IMAGO/Harry Langer/DeFodi Images

2:32

Watch: The best of Nathaniel Brown

The Eintracht Frankfurt left-back has made an immediate impact in the Bundesliga and now earned a first senior cap for Germany.

Plenty of positives

Germany's four-goal haul against Luxembourg saw David Raum net his first goal for his country, and Nico Schlotterbeck start for the first time since his long-term injury and the end of last season. Serge Gnabry netted in consecutive games, Ridle Baku made his first national team appearance since 2021, and Nathaniel Brown (pictured) came on late in the game for his senior debut.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Wolfgang Frank

Kimmich's small bit of history

The Germany captain made his 104th appearance for his country on Friday evening against Luxembourg, surpassing Franz Beckenbauer in the all-time German cap list.

© Sebastian Widmann

Hosts to be without key man

Connor Bradley's yellow card in their recent win means he'll miss the Germany clash through suspension. The Liverpool defender captained the side on his 28th cap, but his booking now means that number 29 won't come in their crucial tie against Nagelsmann's men.

© IMAGO/©INPHO/Presseye/Jonathan Porter

Michael O'Neill on Northern Ireland's win over Slovakia

"Tonight, we showed what we can be like at home, we have shown this before if you look back to the Bulgaria game, but we played a better team tonight and we showed it against a very good team."

© IMAGO/Malte Ossowski / SVEN SIMON

Julian Nagelsmann on facing Northern Ireland

"Northern Ireland will be difficult to beat because they play a lot of long balls that are difficult to defend. This puts a lot of stress on them. It's hard to press them, and it will be difficult in front of the Northern Irish fans. We need today's fervor there, too."

© Pau Barrena

Julian Nagelsmann on the Luxembourg win

"Not everything was perfect. We were determined to be spiteful and greedy, and we could have scored a few more goals with our dominance. Having the advantage in numbers didn't do us any good because the pitch became tighter, but it was a deserved win, and we needed it. I liked how we got the ball back quickly so we didn't have to keep building up from the back."

Joshua Kimmich on Germany's triumph over Luxembourg

"It was important to win, but also the way we did it. It's good for us that we applied certain principles. We were very aggressive from the start and very effective from set pieces. But it was also important to switch quickly after losing the ball."

© Alexander Hassenstein

History favours Germany

Their September win over Michael O'Neill's men was the 20th time the two sides have met, and Germany's 14th victory. They've only lost twice against Northern Ireland, drawing the other four games.

© Stuart Franklin

As things stand

Germany, Northern Ireland and Slovakia all sit level on six points after three games played, with Julian Naglesmann's side topping the group on goal difference. The hosts are in second place, with Slovakia in third.

© IMAGO/Frank Hoermann / SVEN SIMON

Northern Ireland out for a response

The hosts will be determined to put in a performance in front of a home crowd, especially given their defeat in Cologne one month ago. They responded to that result by beating the impressive Slovakia 2-0, sealing the points with the help of an own goal and a Trai Hume finish ten minutes from time.

© IMAGO/©INPHO/Presseye/Jonathan Porter

Back to their best?

That comfortable victory over Luxembourg also saw captain Joshua Kimmich bag a brace, and David Raum bend home a wonderful free-kick. That makes it two wins on the bounce for Germany, who appear to have found their feet again after a run of disappointing results.

© Pau Barrena

Last time out

The two sides met in early September, when Germany recorded a much needed 3-1 win over them in Cologne, having lost 2-0 to Slovakia three days prior. Serge Gnabry, Nadiem Amiri and Florian Wirtz were all on the scoresheet in the win, with Gnabry netting once more in their following win over Luxembourg (4-0).

© IMAGO/osnapix / Marcus Hirnschal

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