Germany continued their unbeaten run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with a narrow but hard-fought 1–0 victory over Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, Belfast.
The only goal came from Nick Woltemade, who scored his first-ever goal for the national team, giving Germany all three points in a tense match dominated by tactical discipline and defensive battles.
The win helped Germany stay at the top of Group A, maintaining their perfect record and reinforcing their status as one of the tournament favorites. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s hopes of qualifying took another hit, as they struggled to convert several key chances late in the game.
Germany started the game with confidence, controlling possession and forcing Northern Ireland deep into their half.
Coach Hansi Flick opted for a slightly rotated squad, with Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz leading the attacking line. Despite several promising build-ups, the Irish defense remained compact and well-organized.
In the 31st minute, Germany finally broke the deadlock. From a well-executed corner, Joshua Kimmich delivered a curling cross that met Nick Woltemade, whose header deflected off his shoulder into the net — a bit lucky, but perfectly placed beyond the reach of Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
It was a memorable moment for the Werder Bremen striker, marking his first goal for the senior national team.
After halftime, Northern Ireland came out fighting. Conor Washington and Josh Magennis both came close to equalizing, forcing Marc-André ter Stegen into two brilliant saves.
Germany’s defense, led by Antonio Rüdiger, held firm under mounting pressure, showing the team’s growing maturity under Flick’s tactical setup.
Substitutions in the final 15 minutes — including Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané — helped Germany regain control of the game’s tempo and secure the crucial away win.
Germany coach Hansi Flick praised Woltemade’s performance, saying:
“It’s always special to see a young player score his first goal. Nick worked hard, and he deserved this moment. We were solid defensively, and that’s what makes this team strong.”
Woltemade himself described it as “a dream come true”, expressing his pride in helping Germany move closer to World Cup qualification.
From a football prediction perspective, the match followed an expected pattern — Germany’s win and clean sheet aligned with most pre-game forecasts.
Many betting models favored a double chance (Germany or Draw) outcome, while the “both teams to score: No” market also proved correct.
Analysts predict Germany will continue this dominant trend in their upcoming matches, especially given their defensive stability and attacking creativity from midfield.
Fans and prediction platforms alike now view Germany as a safe bet for consistent victories, particularly in away games against lower-ranked teams.
Germany’s 1–0 win over Northern Ireland wasn’t just another qualifier — it was a message of intent.
Young stars like Nick Woltemade are stepping up, while Hansi Flick’s tactical structure continues to blend experience with youth seamlessly.
With momentum building and key players finding form, Germany looks set to secure their World Cup ticket comfortably — and perhaps more importantly, to re-establish their dominance on the world stage
Australia , Brisbane