“That was not a free kick”
DFB opponent is annoyed by the referee
08.09.2025 – 02:13 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Germany fetches a shaky victory against Northern Ireland. A fantastic free kick brings the decision. Its origin annoys the Northern Irish coach.
Benjamin Zurmühl reports from Cologne
The relief in the Cologne stadium was noticeable. When Florian Wirtz conjured up the free kick in the 72nd minute in the goal, it was clear to everyone: that is the decision. Five minutes earlier it was 1-1 between Germany and Northern Ireland in the second game of the World Cup qualification. The first had lost the DFB selection around Wirtz on Thursday in Slovakia 0-2.
Against Northern Ireland, Nadiem Amiri brought the German team again in the 69th minute, then Wirtz completed the standard situation. “It was an incredible free kick,” enthused Northern Ireland’s national coach Michael O’Neill at the press conference after the game, but added critically: “It was not a free kick. It was not a free kick at all.”
The 56-year-old was annoyed by the decision of the referee Espen Eskås to give a free kick for Germany in the duel between Alistair McCann and Nadiem Amiri. In general, O’Neill did not like the appearance of the referee from Norway after the change of sides. “The referee was a bit petty in the second half. And that he gave the free kick was disappointing. At 2-1, we still have a chance to compensate for the game in the final phase. So it is a shame that it happened.”
For O’Neill and Northern Ireland it was still a decent international break. In Luxembourg, the team had achieved a 3-1 win, after the 1: 3 defeat against Germany, everything is still possible. Northern Ireland is tied with the DFB team and has two duels against league leaders Slovakia (six points). One crucial aspect: The next two games in October are both home games. Only against Slovakia (October 10) and then against Germany (October 13).