The German national football team has taken a giant step towards the 2026 World Cup in Northern Ireland – thanks to great endurance and Nick Woltemade’s shoulder, with which he scored the 1-0 winning goal in the 31st minute.
Julian Nagelsmann, contrary to his usual habits, relied on proven strengths – and sent exactly the same starting eleven into the race as on Friday in the 4-0 win against Luxembourg. As expected, the DFB team had to demonstrate toughness right from the start – Northern Ireland tried to compensate for their lack of footballing quality with toughness in every duel.
Reid could have seen red
In most cases this was part of what would be expected at an international match at Belfast’s Windsor Park. But there were also cases in which referee Jesus Gil Manzano should have either taken a closer look or used video evidence. Roughneck Jamie Reid’s kick with the extended studs into Nico Schlotterbeck’s shin and fibula area in the 24th minute was significantly closer to red than yellow.
Reid had already caused pain for the DFB team ten minutes earlier. However, one could assume that he had a positive intention of wanting to score a goal. Northern Ireland keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell had hit a free-kick cross, Daniel Ballard extended it to Paddy McNair in the penalty area, who was denied by Oliver Baumann. On the follow-up shot, Reid clipped Aleksandar Pavlovic’s shin, but also hit the ball and sent it under the crossbar. But the cheers quickly died down again – McNair was offside when Ballard passed the ball.
Adeyemi forgives that Preliminary decision
But Germany put up with the many insults confidently; there was no complaining, no self-pity, hardly any complaints to the referee and no retaliation. Instead, there was the sporting answer, also through pure commitment. Woltemade heaved his way into David Raum’s corner after half an hour and once again didn’t get the header, but with a mixture of his shoulder and upper back area he heaved the ball into the left corner unstoppable for Peacock-Farrell.
After that, the Northern Irish became a little more aggressive offensively, but they didn’t threaten Baunmann’s goal. Shortly after the change, the game should actually have been decided. Florian Wirtz had sent Karim Adeyemi on his way with a brilliant pass. He was far too quick for the Northern Irish central defender, but he shot past Peacock-Farrell at the left post, completely free.
Raum falls in love with the duels
So the game remained exciting, somewhat rudimentary in terms of play, but still outstanding in terms of effort. And by no means just from Northern Ireland. The Germans, especially left-back Raum, also clearly enjoyed throwing themselves hard into every duel.
However, there wasn’t much offensive from the DFB team in the last half hour, but Oliver Baumann was called upon again and again. After an hour he first parried against Shea Charles, then he deflected Ethan Galbraith’s low shot just around the post. Shortly before the end, Baumann had to show all his skills again and made an outstanding save against Callum Marshall’s close-range shot. The discussion as to whether the Hoffenheim player is the right goalkeeper for the World Cup or whether Manuel Neuer might even have to be brought back should have been settled after this evening at the latest.