N.IRELAND...1 GERMANY...3
Irish woe as Seb gets Germans off to a flier
NORTHERN IRELAND were given a rude awakening by Germany – but their World Cup dream is still alive.
Joachim Low’s side showed why they are world champions as they ended Northern Ireland’s five-match qualifying winning streak in scintillating fashion.
Few teams could have lived with Germany as they secured qualification for Russia 2018 in the opening quarter with goals from Sebastian Rudy and Sandro Wagner, let alone an Irish side boasting just three Premier League regulars.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill said: “We deserved the goal at the end. The early goal knocked us back and took us a while to get going.
“You are not going to get too many chances against Germany. You want them to miss and then net the ones we get. Conor Washington will feel he should have scored, it would have given a nice finish to the game.
“This was a bonus game for us, it could have gone to 4-0 or 5-0. We could easily have been obliterated.”
It was game over inside 21 minutes – just like it was in Hannover a year ago – as Germany raced in to a two-goal lead.
Gaffer O’Neill had feared as much and rightly claimed this Group C game would not define their campaign.
His side were already guaranteed second and their place in the play-offs could be confirmed even before they face Norway on Sunday if results go their way.
Michael McGovern had gone eight hours and 43 minutes without conceding, only to be beaten in just 78 seconds by the rampant Germans.
To be fair to the Norwich keeper, he could do nothing about Rudy’s right-foot thunderbolt which whizzed into the top corner.
Joshua Kimmich teed up Rudy and the right-back caused havoc, crossing for Sandro Wagner whose header was brilliantly saved at point-blank range by goalie McGovern.
Kimmich was given too much space on the right and he fed Wagner again only for the post to deny him before the Hoffenheim striker got the goal he deserved on 21 minutes.
Thomas Muller found him just outside the area and he spun round onto his left foot to curl a shot past McGovern.
The best Northern Ireland could muster in response was a Steven Davis shot deflected behind for a corner before Corry Evans miscontrolled ex-Aberdeen striker Josh Magennis’s cross and MarcAndre ter Stegen saved his tame effort.
McGovern dived to his left to touch away Muller’s header but the Irish improved greatly and substitute Conor Washington grazed the bar.
However, Kimmich got the goal he deserved four minutes from time when he volleyed in unmarked at the back post.
Magennis headed home a consolation goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
Northern Ireland captain Davis said: “It was a very tough night. The game plan went out of the window after the first couple of minutes.
“It was a bigger test than we have faced. We will pick ourselves up but we will not get too down about it.” IRELAND need a win against Moldova in Dublin tonight and Shane Long is 11-4 to score first for Martin O’Neill’s men.
IAN ORR
need a point in Cardiff to clinch second spot.
Table-toppers Serbia should seal top spot by beating a Austria.
The no-nonsense Serbs won 1-0 in Dublin and can repeat the feat. They are a best 7-5 at Stan James and another 1-0 pays 7-1.
Group G will be taken by Spain ahead of Italy and both should notch big wins tonight. Spain entertain Albania and the goals line is set at four so try Spain -3 at 7-4 with Paddy Power.
Italy are only 1-10 to win and if he starts consider in-form Ciro Immobile to score first at 10-3 at home to Macedonia.
Super Single Spain -3 (7-4, Paddy Power)