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Nick Voltemed’s first international goal was condemned northern ireland 1-0 defeat in World Cup qualifying Germany In Windsor Park.
newcastleThe £69million forward turned the ball past David Raum’s shoulder for a corner in the 31st minute – unconventional perhaps but enough to settle a tough encounter in which Michael O’Neill’s young side showed no fear against their illustrious opponents on the night of his 100th game in charge.
Julian Nagelsmann On Sunday he insisted that it was not his intention to disrespect anyone northern ireland But the hosts clashed when their “long ball” strategy was discussed last month Germany And Daniel Ballard’s strike was ruled offside.
Nevertheless, a seven-match unbeaten run at Windsor Park ended in an 11th consecutive defeat Germans They finished three points behind both Germany and Slovakia heading into the final qualifiers next month. Their safety net through possible qualifying play-offs League of Nations May still be needed.
But O’Neill is likely to take heart from another brave performance from a team whose average age at kick-off was under 25. Brodie Spencer replaced the suspended connor bradley The only change from Friday’s 2-0 win over Slovakia.
Northern Ireland were struggling to get out of their own half in the early exchanges, but the ball went into the net in the 14th minute, before an offside flag cut short the celebrations.
Ballard slotted home a loose ball after both Paddy McNair and Jamie Reid failed to connect properly on Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s long free-kick into the box, but McNair was ruled offside when Ballard got the initial flick-on.
Germany gradually took the lead, then took the lead with his 50th goal against Northern Ireland. Voltmead leapt to meet Raum’s corner, and the ball bounced off the back of his shoulder to beat Peacock-Farrell, who ruled the goal away after a VAR check for handball.
Reid should have done better late on after Ethan Galbraith cut into the box on the left but, stretching, the Stevenage man fired wide, while Ali McCann sent a late strike wide wide. In between, Galbraith was booked for insulting Alexander Pavlovich, ruling him out of the following month’s trip to Slovakia.
Karim Adeyemi should have doubled Germany’s lead less than two minutes into the second half, but he deflected his shot the wrong way of Peacock-Farrell’s right-hand post.
Northern Ireland, fresh as top josh magennis Struggling to replace Reid at the break, Shea Charles tested Oliver Baumann from a tight angle, before Galbraith fired into the side-netting with a low strike.
At the other end, Peacock-Farrell did well to keep out Serge Gnabry’s deflected strike.
Last month in Cologne, Northern Ireland fought well for 70 minutes but then conceded two late goals as they could not cope with the strength of Germany’s bench and lost 3-1.
This time, he continued to fight till the end. Galbraith shot narrowly wide in the 85th minute and substitute Callum Marshall stung Bauman’s palms three minutes later, but there was no way back.
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