Two late goals from Germany’s Under-21s harshly floored Northern Ireland’s U21s in a Euro qualifier in Belfast tonight.
A goal in the 79th minute and a penalty four minutes later were enough to secure all three points for the top seeds in Group F in the 2025-27 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying group stage.
It was really tough on Tommy Wright’s Northern Ireland side, who had led from the fourth minute and had matched their more illustrious opponents throughout the match at The Oval which attracted 1152 spectators
U21s boss Wright’s side for the U21 Euro 2027 qualifier showed three changes from the team that started the 2-0 win against Malta last Thursday.
Defender Ruairi McConville, midfielder Jamie McDonnell and attacking midfielder Jamie Donley joined from the senior squad. They replaced defender Conor Barr, winger Liam McStravick and striker Eoin Kenny, who all dropped to the bench.
Wright’s side, who began their qualification campaign for U21 Euro 2027 with an excellent 1-1 draw away to Georgia last month, started strongly.
And they opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Donley fired a corner into the six-yard area and McConville rose superbly to head the ball powerfully into the top corner.
Donley volleyed over the top when he got on the end of a German clearance, and then Germany’s Muhammed Damar swept a free-kick into the side netting.
On 24 minutes Germany captain Tom Bischof drilled in a low shot which was well gathered by Northern Ireland keeper Stephen McMullan.
A clipped shot from Donley was clutched by Germany keeper Dennis Seimen, while German defender Tom Rothe steered a header wide of the post at the other end.
Around the half-hour mark the Germans upped the tempo and the Northern Ireland back three of McConville, captain Michael Forbes and Tommy Fogarty, with Darren Robinson working tirelessly in front of them, had to be on their toes to repel their attacks.
On 39 minutes Shea Kearney made a superb charge up the pitch and fed the ball into the path of Patrick Kelly on the edge of the penalty area. Kelly’s shot was pushed out by Seimen. The loose ball fell to Kearney 18 yards out and he fired it back towards goal where the ball was cleared off the line by Noel Asako.
Bischof shot straight at McMullan before the keeper dived bravely at the feet of Nicolo Tresoldi as he threatened to get on the end of a through ball.
Germany came flying out of the traps after the break but a swift counter-attack fizzled out.
Down the other end Donley had a shot blocked before German defender Lukas Ullrich scooped an effort wide of the post.
Northern Ireland striker Makenzie Kirk fired in a powerful low shot which Seimen did well to push away.
Germany’s Nelson Weiper put the ball in the net shortly after, however the ‘goal’ was ruled out as Weiper was in an offside position when he found the net.
McDonnell, who put in an incredible shift throughout the game, produced a superb covering tackle as Germany threatened once again.
After a clever piece of skill Weiper tested McMullan with a shot drilled towards the near post. And on 78 minutes Weiper’s goal-bound header was clutched by McMullan.
A minute later Germany equalised through Assan Ouedraogo. Captain Bischof lofted the ball towards Ouedraogo and he stooped to head the ball into the corner of the net from 12 yards.
On 83 minutes Germany took the lead from the penalty spot. A cross from substitute Ilyas Ansah into the area hit Robinson’s upper arm. It was a soft penalty as Robinson’s arm did not appear to be in an unnatural position. The spot kick was duly blasted into the net by another German sub, Dzenan Pejcinovic.
Northern Ireland tried to get back into it. Sam Glenfield’s low drive was comfortably stopped by Seimen.
Towards the end Cole Brannigan made his U21s debut.
Northern Ireland: Stephen McMullan, Tommy Fogarty, Jonny Russell, Darren Robinson, Michael Forbes (captain), Ruairi McConville, Shea Kearney, Jamie McDonnell, Makenzie Kirk, Jamie Donley, Patrick Kelly.
Substitutes: (used) Eoin Kenny, Ryan Donnelly, Sam Glenfield, Cole Brannigan, Ceadach O’Neill; (unused) Mason Munn (GK), Liam McStravick, Ryan Donnelly, Conor Barr, Bayley McCann.
Germany: Dennis Seimen (GK), Noel Aseko, Lukas Ullrich, Tom Rothe, Tim Drexler, Assan Ouedraogo, Muhammed Damar, Tom Bischof (captain), Nicolo Tresoldi, Said El Mala, Nelson Weiper.
Substitutes: (used) Mert Komur, Ilyas Ansah, Leandro Morgalla, Dzenan Pejcinovic, Hendry Blank; (unused) Max Weiss (GK), Leon Wechsel, Paul Wanner, Kofi Amoako.
Action from The Oval
