Northern Ireland lost against Group A top seeds Germany in the second game of their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign.
Michael O’Neill’s side matched the hosts for two-thirds of the game at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion in Koln (Cologne) tonight and the game was one apiece at half-time, however two quickfire second half goals helped Germany register a 3-1 victory.
The Germans returned to winning ways in front of 43,169 fans, including around 2300 Northern Ireland supporters, after losing 2-0 away to Slovakia in their opener.
Northern Ireland, who defeated Luxembourg 3-1 away in their first Group A encounter, competed well throughout.
Germany started on the front foot with lots of probing, looking for the pass in behind the visitors’ defence. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, earning his 50th cap for his country, did well to pluck a dangerous cross out of the air early on.
But in the seventh minute Germany took the lead. Striker Nick Woltemade slipped in attacking midfielder Serge Gnabry, who beat the offside trap and raced forward to expertly loft the ball past the Northern Ireland keeper into the corner of the net.
Northern Ireland tried to respond quickly. Shea Charles fired a free-kick into the danger zone, but it evaded his team-mates.
The back three of Paddy McNair, Trai Hume and Eoin Toal, ably accompanied by wing-backs Conor Bradley and Justin Devenny, all had to be on their toes as the Germans continued to push and probe.
Devenny tried to get Shea Charles in down the left flank but slightly overhit the pass.
In the 29th minute Devenny whipped a corner to the back post where it was met by McNair, but unfortunately he couldn’t keep his header on target.
Northern Ireland, who had been starting to come into the game more, equalised on 34 minutes. Devenny delivered a corner to the back post where the unmarked Price produced an exquisite volley from six yards which flew into the net. It was a sweet finish.
Peacock-Farrell punched out a dangerous cross as the Germans attempted to regain the lead.
Germany had the ball in the net just before the break, however David Raum’s powerful effort was ruled out as he was standing in an offside position when he received the ball.
The first decent attempt in the second half saw Germany winger Jamie Leweling cut inside and let fly from distance, however his shot drifted wide.
On 63 minutes a slick German free-kick routine ended with a blaster from Raum which Peacock-Farrell superbly pushed out. The keeper then rose quickly to save with his feet from Pascal Gross.
Shortly after that a free-kick delivery from Raum was met by Waldemar Anton and his powerful header went over the top.
A Robin Koch piledriver was blocked before Peacock-Farrell pushed out a close range flick from Florian Wirtz.
Germany made it 2-1 in the 69th minute. Raum angled a pass inside the box for substitute Maximilian Beier but the ball bypassed the forward and Peacock-Farrell as another German sub, Nadiem Amiri, arrived right on cue to score into an empty net.
Three minutes later it was 3-1. Alistair McCann conceded a foul on the edge of the area and Wirtz superbly curled the resultant free-kick into the top corner.
Northern Ireland responded with an attack on goal. A Shea Charles delivery into the area bounced off Devenny and dropped out of play.
Leweling, who was energetic throughout the game, threatened once again down the flank only for his cross into the area to be cut out.
Towards the end of the match midfielder Jamie McDonnell came off the bench to make his senior international debut for Northern Ireland.
In added time Leweling caused problems for the Northern Ireland defence once again. This time he fired an effort into the side netting.
Next up for Northern Ireland are two Group A home matches against table toppers Slovakia and Germany next month.
Germany: Oliver Baumann, Waldemar Anton, David Raum, Antonio Rudiger, Robin Koch, Joshua Kimmich (captain), Jamie Leweling, Pascal Gross, Nick Woltemade, Florian Wirtz, Serge Gnabry.
Substitutes: (used) Maximilian Beier, Nadiem Amiri, Leon Goretzka, Jonathan Tah; (unused) Alexander Nubel (GK), Finn Dahmen (GK), Nnamdi Collins, Karim Adeyemi, Angelo Stiller, Maximilian Mittelstadt, Paul Nebel, Robert Andrich.
Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Conor Bradley, Justin Devenny, Trai Hume (captain), Paddy McNair, Eoin Toal, Ethan Galbraith, Shea Charles, Jamie Reid, Isaac Price, Alistair McCann.
Substitutes: (used) Dion Charles, George Saville, Callum Marshall, Ruairi McConville, Jamie McDonnell; (unused) Luke Southwood (GK), Stephen McMullan (GK), Jamie Donley, Ryan Johnson, Terry Devlin, Ronan Hale, Dale Taylor.
Action from Cologne
