Northern Ireland’s Under-21s battled hard against Germany in a U21 Euro 2027 qualifier today.
Although they lost the game 3-0, they matched their opponents for long periods of the match at the Eintracht Stadion in Braunschweig.
As expected Germany created more opportunities than Tommy Wright’s team, however Northern Ireland had chances in the game.
Wright made wholesale changes to the side that started the U21s’ previous game in Group F in the 2025-27 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying group stage - a 1-0 home win over Latvia in November.
Only defender Jonny Russell, midfielder Darren Robinson and strikers Makenzie Kirk and Eoin Kenny retained their places in the team.
Germany, who defeated Wright’s side 2-1 in a Group F qualifier at The Oval in October, took the lead on 11 minutes after Northern Ireland goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley conceded a penalty.
Striker Nicolo Tresoldi latched on to a loose ball and raced into the area where he attempted to skip past Barnsley, who brought him down. And Tresoldi stepped up to hammer the spot kick into the bottom corner of the net.
Both defences were on top at this stage. It took until the 28th minute before the next clearcut chance was created. Barnsley clutched a header from Germany defender Linus Gechter.
On 36 minutes Barnsley was called into action again when he comfortably saved a long range strike by Germany captain Tom Bischof.
Moments later Kirk found space in behind the German defence and let fly, with keeper Mio Backhaus pushing away his shot.
The hosts extended their lead in the 41st minute. Attacker Brajan Gruda whipped in a cross to the back post where defender Lukas Ullrich nodded the ball back across the six-yard box and Tresoldi was on hand to head it home from close range.
Germany pressed at the start of the second half. Firstly, attacker Said El Mala steered an effort wide and then substitute Mert Komur struck the woodwork.
Northern Ireland had a chance when a Ryan Donnelly free-kick was met by Matty Orr, however his header went over the top.
On 54 minutes Backhaus had to be alert to hold on to a low drive from Kirk. And then Kenny fired a shot over the bar.
An attempt by Komur was blocked, while another Germany substitute, Mika Baur, put an effort wide.
In the 70th minute Wright made a triple substitution, including a debut for striker Devlan Moses.
Nine minutes later another of those three subs, Cole Brannigan, fired in a free-kick which was comfortably saved by Backhaus.
A minute later Brannigan played in the other sub, Aodhan Doherty, and his low strike was pushed away by the Germany keeper.
Both sides tried to create openings before Germany scored in added time to put a gloss on the scoreline. Ullrich was involved again. He provided the assist as substitute Nelson Weiper found the back of the net.
Next up for Northern Ireland U21s is a game against Latvia at Daugava Stadium in Riga on Tuesday (31 March). That Group F match has a 12 noon kick-off BST.
Germany: Mio Backhaus, Linus Gechter, Lukas Ullrich, Finn Jeltsch, Joshua Quarshie, Tom Bischof (captain), Anton Kade, Aljoscha Kemlein, Nicolo Tresoldi, Brajan Gruda, Said El Mala.
Substitutes: (used) Mert Komur, Karim Coulibaly, Mika Baur, Dzenan Pejcinovic, Nelson Weiper; (unused) Dennis Seimen (GK), Tom Rothe, Arijon Ibrahimovic, Cajetan Lenz.
Northern Ireland: Fraser Barnsley, Jonny Russell, Conor Barr, Michael Forbes (captain), Matthew Orr, Joshua Briggs, Sean Kearney, Darren Robinson, Makenzie Kirk, Eoin Kenny, Ryan Donnelly.
Substitutes: (used) Aodhan Doherty, Cole Brannigan, Devlan Moses, Bayley McCann, Jack Patterson; (unused) Francis Hurl (GK), Callum Burnside, Sean Brown, Sam Inwood.
