Germany lacklustre in overcoming Northern Ireland
BERLIN: Germany struggled for a second straight European Championship qualifier before Marcel Halstenberg’s first international goal lifted it to a 20 win over Northern Ireland yesterday.
Coming off a 42 loss to the Netherlands, Germany’s recovery was unconvincing, helped by Northern Ireland wasting good chances.
More than a year on from its embarrassing groupstage elimination at the World Cup, Joachim Low’s team is still struggling to get what should be routine wins.
Just as South Korea ran Germany into the ground at the World Cup, hard pressing from Northern Ireland nearly earned an upset win in Belfast.
The hosts had the better of the first half as Conor Washington had one good shot saved by Manuel Neuer, before being tripped over the ball in front of goal and missing the best chance of the game.
Germany emerged from the break refreshed and needed just three minutes before Halstenberg volleyed the ball into the net after Julian Brandt flicked on a cross.
Stuart Dallas then went close for Northern Ireland, which continued to challenge until deep into stoppage time, when Serge Gnabry grabbed Germany’s second goal on a counter.
‘‘They pressed us hard in the first half, but at some point they got tired,’’ Halstenberg said.
Asked if Germany was getting back to the level of Europe’s best, he was diplomatic. ‘‘It’s hard to say.’’
Group I leader Belgium kept its 100% record by thrashing Scotland 40, while in group C the Netherlands stayed in touch with the top two by beating Estonia, also 40.
Group E leader and 2018 World Cup runnerup Croatia faltered with a 11 draw in Azerbaijan but stayed at the head of Group E after Slovakia beat Hungary 21.
Group G leader Poland was held to a 00 draw by thirdplaced Austria in Warsaw.
Thirdplaced Netherlands earned a comfortable victory in Estonia thanks to a double from Ryan Babel and Memphis Depay’s strike on his 50th appearance.
Georginio Wijnaldum grabbed the fourth goal, as he did in the Netherlands’ win over Germany on Saturday, with a late header.
Belgium romped to its sixth victory from six games in Scotland, with Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne laying on a hattrick of assists and netting the fourth himself.
De Bruyne teed up Romelu Lukaku, Thomas Vermaelen and Toby Alderweireld inside 32 firsthalf minutes.
In other matches, Russia beat Kazakhstan 10 (Mario Fernandes, 89th), Cyprus thrashed San Marino 40, Slovenia beat Israel 32 and North Macedonia won 20 in Latvia. — DPA