NI taking the positives as German class shines
BRAVE and gallant Northern Ireland failed in their mission impossible last night but will head to Oslo this morning buoyed by an impressive second half performance against Germany.
Losing 3-1 to the greatest team on the planet was no disgrace — especially considering the Germans don’t lose World Cup qualifiers away from home and Joachim Low’s men took the lead after just 79 seconds.
With this win, the visitors have confirmed top spot in Group C and booked their place at the World Cup finals next year.
Northern Ireland have Russia very much in sight too and, depending on results across Europe over the next two nights, could be taking to the field against Norway in their final qualifier on Sunday having officially won their place in next month’s play-offs.
Going into this game, Northern Irerland goalkeeper Michael McGovern hadn’t conceded in 607 minutes but disaster struck inside two minutes.
Joshua Kimmich, who has the most assists in this World Cup qualifying campaign, whipped in a tantalising cross from the right, it evaded the German strikeforce but Lee Hodson’s clearance failed to find a team-mate and it was met 20 yards from goal by Bayern Munich’s Sebastian Rudy, who fired a stunning strike into the top corner of McGovern’s goal — meaning Pat Jennings’ Northern Ireland’s record of 633 minutes remains intact.
Rangers defender Hodson nearly made amends stright away as he found himself in the German box but his shot on target was blocked by Wagner.
From the resulting Chris Brunt corner, Gareth McAuley — always so dangerous from set pieces — just failed to connect with his head.
On five minutes, a sigh of relief eminated around the stadium
as the Germans, after yet another threatening cross from Kimmich, came close to doubling their lead but McGovern made a brilliant point blank save from Wagner.
On 17 minutes Wagner, having been found by a Kimmich cross again, saw his powerful header hit the post but, soon later, the Hoffenheim hitman was celebrating scoring Germany’s second goal.
Muller fed the 29 year-old 22 yards out and, with his back to goal, the striker — who scored a hat trick against San Marino last June — managed to turn McAuley and then curl the ball past McGovern with his left foot.
While the Germans were a NORTHERN IRELAND: McGovern, J Evans, C McLaughlin, McAuley, Hodson (Dallas, 46 mins), Brunt, Norwood, Davis, C Evans (Saville, 80 mins), K Lafferty (Washington, 69 mins), Magennis. Unused subs: Mannus, Ferguson, McGinn, Paton, Flanagan, Jones, Lund, Carroll.
GERMANY: ter Stegen, Kimmich, Boateng,
joy to watch at times with their crisp, intricate passing, the best move of the match came from Northern Ireland five minutes from the break.
In the left corner of his own Hummels, Plattenhardt, Rudy, Kroos, Goretzka (Can, 67 mins), Muller (Stindl, 83 mins), Draxler (Sane, 72 mins), Wagner. Unused subs: Trapp, Mustafi, Ginter, Sule, Younes, Rudiger, Brandt, Leno.
Man of the Match: Joshua Kimmich Match rating: 7/10
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Holland)
half, Jonny Evans showed his class by losing his man and playing a neat pass to McAuley who had the vision to find Hodson rampaging down the right flank and into German territory. Even though