Northern Ireland 0-2 Germany: Michael O’Neill’s side suffer first defeat of Euro 2020 qualifying

N Ireland vs Germany
European Qualifiers Group C
7:45pm Monday 9th September

Windsor Park

As Germany was delivered by the thunderbolt of Marcel Halstenberg on their way northern Ireland suffered their first defeat of this Euro 2020 effort.
The first of four crunch fixtures from the powerhouses of Team C – Northern Ireland confront The Netherlands in Rotterdam second – finished in defeat following Serge Gnabry rolled at a second in stoppage time, but the 18,000 fans packed to Windsor Park will hardly have been defeated given their side screen.
As they were roared on by a boisterous crowd michael O’Neill’s men played with heart and want, but the premium quality of Germany saw them take charge after the fracture.
The opening goal was a second of pure quality as Lukas Klostermann’s deep cross was met by Halstenberg with a potent half-volley that flew past Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
For its 45 minutes, Germany’s resolve was tested by Northern Ireland in the wake of their four second-half goals in defeat on the Netherlands on Friday night. The Germans haven’t lost qualifiers but they definitely looked since Northern Ireland poured 21, unnerved from the opening exchanges.
Conor Washington poked just within the minute and was then denied by a good save from Manuel Neuer.
Germany slowly started to take the bite from the atmosphere together with as they created chances of their own and hogged possession George Saville taking.
A dramatic end to the first half followed. Stuart Dallas’ low cross triggered a goalmouth scramble but Neuer emerged with the ball as Washington could not stretch far enough, even while Peacock-Farrell created since Germany tried to hit them a point-blank save from Werner.
However, for the tough work in the first half of all Northern Ireland of Germany had three minutes to open the scoring at the next. Peacock-Farrell had made a great save to deny Klostermann in the opening moments but there was nothing he would do if Halstenberg and Klostermann cross minutes fulfilled later.
It might have been minutes however, the Burnley stopper denied Brandt until Klostermann fired wastefully over on the follow-up, although Gnabry poked the ball just wide.
Germany have been in full flow today and Peacock-Farrell made an outstanding save to push Werner shot just around the post following a fantastic mix with Marco Reus.
Northern Ireland had to regroup, but were crying for a penalty when Paddy McNair saw Dallas fire wide from the cross of replacement Gavin Whyte, hit the deck on the hour.
O’Neill threw on Josh Magennis and young Linfield striker Shayne Lavery in the closing stages but they struggled to make an effect and it had been Gnabry who had the last say, beating the offside trap and then Peacock-Farrell in a tight angle in the third minute of time .
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill believed since they suffered a defeat to Germany in their Euro 2020 Qualifier some chances were missed by that his side.