The German national team opened the scoring at the 30-minute mark of the first half in the match against Northern Ireland, played this Sunday (13) at 3:45 PM at Windsor Park in Belfast, for the fourth round of Group A in the European Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Attacker Nick Woltemade, wearing number 11, scored his first goal for the national team after a corner kick by Florian Wirtz, anticipating the marking in the box. The game continues, with Germany seeking to consolidate the shared leadership in the group, where both teams have six points each.
The match takes place in a context of balance in Group A, with Slovakia also on six points facing Luxembourg simultaneously. Germany, current world runner-up, has been pressing since the start but faces resistance from the Northern Irish defense. Up to the 35-minute mark, the score remains 1-0 for the Germans, and the confrontation remains open for twists.
The German lineup includes names like Manuel Neuer in goal, Nico Schlotterbeck in defense, and Leon Goretzka in midfield, under Julian Nagelsmann’s command. On the Northern Ireland side, Michael O’Neill opted for a defensive formation with Bailey Peacock-Farrell in goal and Paddy McNair in the backline.
First half timeline
The game started with Germany taking the initial kickoff, maintaining ball possession in the opening minutes.
- At 3 minutes, Germany presses in attack, but Northern Ireland’s defense blocks the initial advances without difficulty.
- At 5 minutes, Serge Gnabry sets up for Leon Goretzka in the box, who mishits the shot under double marking from the Northern Irish.
- At 9 minutes, Nico Schlotterbeck tries from outside the area, sending the ball over Peacock-Farrell’s goal.
At 13 minutes, Northern Ireland nearly surprises on a counterattack, but Conor McNair’s goal is disallowed for offside flagged by the referee.
Key plays up to 35 minutes
The match maintains a fast pace, with Germany dominating the offensive actions.
At 18 minutes, Florian Wirtz capitalizes on a marking error by the opposition and advances to the edge of the box, but his shot is blocked, falling to Aleksandar Pavlovic, who finishes over the bar.
At 23 minutes, the Germans try to maintain control but face greater compactness from the home defense, reducing clear chances.
At 27 minutes, Northern Irish attacker Shea Charles receives a yellow card for a hard foul on Schlotterbeck in midfield, interrupting a German transition.
German dominance in early minutes
Germany imposed its style of play from the initial whistle, with quick passes in midfield.
Goretzka and Wirtz dictate the rhythm, forcing errors in Northern Ireland’s ball exit. At 7 minutes, Wirtz crosses into the box, but the defense’s cut results in a weak shot from the midfielder himself, no danger.
The constant pressure generates the first corner at 25 minutes, exploiting the flanks with Gnabry. Nagelsmann’s strategy focuses on quick infiltrations, contrasting with the reactive stance of the hosts.
Up to 35 minutes, the Germans record 65% ball possession, converting superiority into opportunities, although the Northern Irish defense reorganizes well.
The goal that changed the game
Woltemade, 23 years old and a revelation from VfB Stuttgart, celebrated his historic milestone calmly, dedicating the goal to his teammates.
The play originated from a short corner, with Wirtz curling the ball to the far post, where the attacker positioned perfectly. The Northern Irish defender failed to anticipate, allowing the precise header.
This goal relieves tension in the German team, which came from a draw in the previous round against Luxembourg.
The moment reinforces confidence in the German attack, with Wirtz taking the main creator role.
Reactions and tactical adjustments
The local crowd at Windsor Park, with about 18,000 spectators, reacts with boos to the German goal, encouraging their team to press more. O’Neill gestures from the sideline, demanding greater intensity in midfield to recover the ball. Substitutions have not occurred yet, but positional adjustments are visible, with McNair advancing more.
Nagelsmann, meanwhile, maintains the 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing fast transitions. At 32 minutes, a foul won by Pavlovic creates a set-piece chance, but Goretzka’s shot goes weak.
Partial match statistics
The numbers reflect German control, with data collected up to 35 minutes.
- Ball possession: Germany 62%, Northern Ireland 38%.
- Shots: 7 to 2, with 3 on target for the visitors.
- Corners: 4 to 1, all German.
Northern Ireland records only one shot on goal, disallowed for offside, while the Germans average 1.3 fouls suffered per minute in the offensive field. These indicators point to a one-sided game, but with potential for surprises in the second half.
Timeline of key plays
The sequence of events highlights the match’s evolution.
At 30 minutes, Wirtz’s corner results in Woltemade’s decisive goal, altering the game’s flow. Before, at 18 minutes, the rebound to Pavlovic generates the previous best chance, kept open by the post. The yellow card to Charles at 27 minutes balances physical disputes, with Germany winning 70% of aerial duels.
Continuous pressure in attack
Germany exploits the lateral weaknesses of Northern Ireland’s defense, with frequent crosses into the box. Gnabry, at 20 minutes, forces a deep defense, but the final pass to Wirtz is intercepted by Toal. The intensity keeps opponents back, limiting counterattacks.
The German coach internally praises cohesion, with Schlotterbeck solid in coverage. At 34 minutes, a link-up between Goretzka and Pavlovic ends in a corner, prolonging pressure.
Northern Ireland’s challenges
The home team struggles to create plays, relying on long balls from Peacock-Farrell. McNair, exposed in the disallowed play, adjusts positioning to avoid repetitions. The lack of depth in attack, with Reid isolated, restricts offensive options.
O’Neill plans substitutions for the second half, aiming for greater mobility. So far, the defensive block holds the score, but fatigue may weigh in.