HEARTBREAK FOR O’NEILL’S BATTLERS AS GNABRY SEALS GERMANY WIN

THIS is not a vintage Germany team but it does not mean they cannot score vintage goals. Make no mistake, the four-time world champions were on the ropes at Windsor Park last night against a Northern Ireland side who did much to justify their rise to the top of Group C. Then in the 48th minute, defender Marcel

Halstenberg produced a stunning strike before Serge Gnabry made it 2-0 in added time to end Northern Ireland’s 100 per cent record and knock them off their perch. For the opener Julian Brandt got the faintest of touches to a cross from the right and the ball ran through for Leipzig left back Halstenberg, who despatched it with a ferocious finish into the top corner. It punished Northern Ireland for failing to exploit the frailties they exposed in a German side that has been overhauled since the last World Cup and lost 4-2 at home to Holland on Friday night. ‘We’re hugely disappointed to lose the game,’ said manager Michael O’Neill. ‘We can pat ourselves on the back or say it’s a wasted opportunity. That is how I feel about it and that is how the majority if not all of the players think about it.’ This was far and away Northern Ireland’s best performance in four games against Joachim Low’s side over the last three years, particularly in a belting first half in which they had Germany ruffled. However, Conor Washington wasted their best chance in the seventh minute when Corry Evans’ block on Toni Kroos put the Hearts striker clean through on goal but he

could not beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. A more composed, clinical Germany emerged in the second half and it needed a string of fine saves from Bailey Peacock-Farrell to keep Northern Ireland in the game. O’Neill’s side still went close to an equaliser when Stuart Dallas fired inches wide but Germany snatched a second in added time when Gnabry ran on to Kai Havertz’s pass and beat Peacock-Farrell from a narrow angle. The result tightens things up at the top of the group with Northern Ireland still to face Germany away and Holland, twice, in their remaining three matches. ‘The games aren’t going to get any easier,’ admitted O’Neill. ‘This puts us in a more difficult position.’