GERMANY GNAB VICTORY IN BELFAST

             Germany edge in front of Northern Ireland on goal difference in Group C following their hard fought 2-0 win at Windsor Park this evening. Northern Ireland’s pursuit of back to back Euro appearances took a blow as the 2014 world champions proved just too much for Michael O’Neills side in front of an electrifying home crowd. Following a disappointing 4-2 home defeat to rivals Holland in Hamburg on Friday night Joachim Loew’s men had to overcome a resilient Northern Ireland with well taken goals at the beginning and end of the second half.

                Whilst the Germans went head to head with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk on Friday night Northern Ireland warmed up for this encounter with a 1-0 victory against minnows Luxembourg. Windsor Park was rocking before kick off and the atmosphere clearly boosted the boys in green as Northern Ireland started the match on the front foot. Just seven minutes in Northern Ireland’s high pressure looked like it might pay off. Hearts’ striker Conor Washington found himself one-on-one with Manuel Neuer but his lofted effort was batted down by the German skipper. Germany (currently 10^th in the Fifa rankings) settled the pace of the game and kept a majority of possession. Conor Washington deserves a lot of praise for his efforts, the striker worked his socks off chasing down Manuel Neuer and the two central defenders.  Timo Werner forced a save from Irish keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell after he was left unmarked in the box, the first of many from a heroic Peacock-Farrell. As half time approached it was Neuer who was thrown into action. Stuart Dallas and Corry Evans shared a one-two down the right wing before Dallas whipped in the low driven cross. Manuel Neuer spilled the ball into Washington’s path but the forward, in the right place at the right time, couldn’t adjust and Germany escaped any further embarrassment.

                Half time arrived and Northern Ireland were very much in the contest however Germany possess the ability to flick the switch and lift their game, something Northern Ireland discovered just minutes after the restart. Loew’s men came out firing on all cylinders and were rewarded for their efforts. From one full back to another, Lukas Klostermann delivered into the box, the cross found its way across goal and Marcel Halstenberg’s stunning volley left Peacock-Farrell no chance. Halstenberg’s first goal for his country motivated his side as they pushed for a two-goal cushion. Peacock-Farrell was forced into action yet again. Klostermann and Werner drew saves from the young keeper in quick succession before Werner’s low curling effort was terrifically tipped round the post and out for a corner. Toni Kroos was next up to test the inform Peacock-Farrell, his free-kick was heading for the bottom corner before being palmed wide by the keeper. Michael O’Neill’s side managed to fight off the German onslaught and when his side could finally retain possession and pressure their opponents, he threw Gavin Whyte into the mix. The timing of the substitution was perfect as Northern Ireland had the Germans on their heels and the young tricky winger Whyte disgruntled the defence.  Whyte managed to carve into the back four and skipped past Kimmich before squeezing the ball into the path of Stuart Dallas on the edge of the six-yard box. The ‘right back’ narrowly firing wide of Neuer’s post. Northern Ireland continued to threaten an equaliser late in the game and Paddy McNair thought he’d earned his side a penalty. The former Manchester United player side stepped Toni Kroos in the box and the outstretched leg of the Real Madrid star looked as though it clipped McNair but referee Daniele Orsato waved away Irish complaints. Josh Magennis entered the fray with twenty minutes remaining but couldn’t replicate his late Estonia heroics.

                Three minutes were added on at the end of regulation and in the second of those Germany put Northern Ireland out of sight. Youngster Kai Havertz threaded through Serge Gnabry who hesitated before efficiently slipping the ball past Peacock-Farrell making it 2-0 and sending Germany top of the group. Germany were pushed to the limits by a very spirited Northern Ireland team who can be immensely proud of their performance tonight. Michael O’Neill’s side fall to 2^nd in the group but on goal difference only however with back-to-back games against Holland followed by a trip to Germany to see out the group, tonight will feel like a missed opportunity for Northern Ireland. It’s certainly safe to say there is a buzz in the Northern Ireland camp, this mixed group of young talent and valued experience saw the boys in green take a maximum 12 points out of 12 before tonight’s clash. This narrow defeat against one of the worlds top teams will fill the country with some optimism heading into the Holland fixture in October. Should Northern Ireland fail in their final three fixtures there is the chance of redemption through the Nations League but things have changed since O’Neill’s tenure and you know they have their minds set on automatic qualification.