Northern Ireland 1-3 Germany: World champions cruise to Russia 2018By Jack Wilkinson
Last Updated: 05/10/17 10:43pm
Germany booked their place at Russia 2018 with a classy 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.
Sebastian Rudy's rocket put the world champions ahead inside two minutes before Sandro Wagner underlined their dominance with a fine second midway through the first half.
Northern Ireland steadied after the break, and asked real questions of Germany as Conor Washington struck the bar, but Joshua Kimmich wrapped up a convincing victory four minutes from time before Josh Magennis pulled one back with the final kick of the game.
But there was no denying Germany as they inflicted Northern Ireland's first home defeat in four years to finish top of Group C, whether or not Michael O'Neill's men will join them at next summer's World Cup looks set to be determined in the play-offs.
Northern Ireland entered the game with an outside chance of automatically qualifying ahead of Germany, but Rudy's unstoppable drive with barely two minutes on the clock allayed any lingering fears for the visitors, and heralded the start of an imperious display from Joachim Low's side.
Michael McGovern pulled off a stunning save to claw a Wagner header away three minutes later as the Germans laid siege to the hosts' goal, before a second header from the Hoffenheim striker cannoned off the woodwork on 17 minutes.
And it was only a matter of time before Wagner finally got on the scoresheet as he controlled and swivelled on the edge of the area, before firing high past McGovern to underline Germany's dominance.
Corry Evans spurned Northern Ireland's best chance of the half six minutes before the break, firing straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen after poorly controlling a Magennis cross.
Michael O'Neill reverted to a back four at half-time in an attempt to get back into the game, but it was Germany who maintained the threat as Wagner drew another fine save from McGovern on 51 minutes.
Player ratings
Northern Ireland: McGovern (7), McLaughlin (6), McAuley (6), J Evans (6), Brunt (6), Norwood (5), Magennis (7), Davis (6), C Evans (6), Hodson (5), Lafferty (5).
Subs: Dallas (5), Saville (6), Washington (6).
Germany: Ter Stegen (7), Kimmich (8), Hummels (8), Boateng (7), Plattenhardt (7), Kroos (7), Rudy (8), Wagner (8), Draxler (6), Goretzka (5), Muller (6).
Subs: Can (5), Sane (5), Stindl (4).
Man of the Match: Joshua Kimmich
http://www.skysports.com/football/n-ireland-vs-germany/350196
