Germany bounced back from the embarrassment of their defeat to Slovakia to claim a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifying.
Die Mannschaft endured a nightmare start to their Group A campaign as they slumped to their first ever away defeat in a World Cup qualifier, losing 2-0 in Bratislava on Thursday.
It looked as if it would be another frustrating night for Germany after Isaac Price cancelled out Serge Gnabry’s seventh-minute opener.
But substitute Nadiem Amiri restored Germany’s lead in the 69th minute before a moment of magic from Florian Wirtz, criticised in the wake of the Slovakia loss, made sure of the points in Cologne.
Germany v Northern Ireland
Having made five changes to the side that suffered an historic defeat, Julian Nagelsmann saw his team make a fast start as Nick Woltemade, another whose performance against Slovakia earned criticism, won the ball in midfield and played through Gnabry, who lofted the ball over Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Despite dominating possession, Germany struggled to build on that opening goal and struggled for rhythm as Northern Ireland pressed high and began to cause problems.
The visitors found their reward in the 34th minute, Price producing a superb far-post volley from Josh Devenny’s corner to restore parity.
Nagelsmann threw on Amiri and Maximilian Beier in place of Woltemade and Gnabry just after hour mark and the changes eventually paid dividends after a concerted spell of Germany pressure.
David Raum was denied by Peacock-Farrell with an effort on the turn from the edge of the area before Waldemar Anton headed over.
Peacock-Farrell produced heroics to thwart Wirtz after a stunning left-wing cross from Joshua Kimmich, but Northern Ireland’s resistance was broken when Raum’s ball from the same flank deceived their goalkeeper, allowing Amiri to tap into an empty net.
Three minutes later Wirtz produced an answer to his critics, settling the game with marvellous long-range free-kick that dipped under the bar and beyond a helpless Peacock-Farrell.
Trailing Slovakia, who scored a 90th-minute winner against Luxembourg, by three points after the first two qualifiers, Germany still have plenty of work to do.
Few will be convinced by their performance against Northern Ireland, but for Nagelsmann the victory should at least quell some of the disquiet ahead of next month’s qualifiers. Germany host Luxembourg before a trip to Belfast for what will surely be a testing reverse fixture.
