Northern Ireland lost 1-0 to Germany at Windsor Park
It was another frustrating night for Northern Ireland against Germany as they slipped to a narrow defeat which they will hope doesn’t have lasting implications on their World Cup hopes.
Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade glanced home in the 31st minute but that was only part of the story.
Daniel Ballard had a goal ruled out before Woltemade’s header and Oliver Baumann was the busier of the two goalkeepers as the hosts pushed right to the death.
But they couldn’t muster an equaliser to leave them trailing Germany and Slovakia with two games to go in qualification.
Here are our Northern Ireland player ratings:
Bailey Peacock-Farrell 6
Could have possibly came for Raum’s corner before Woltemade scored
Brodie Spencer 7
Great outlet down the right as he filled in for Conor Bradley
Trai Hume 8
Got the armband back and led by example all night
Paddy McNair 7
Provided vital experience at the back
Daniel Ballard 8
Constant threat in the Germany box
Justin Devenny 7
Put a shift in but didn’t impose himself as much going forward
Shea Charles 9
Sensational performance as he took the game to Germany
Ali McCann 7
Another tireless performance from the Preston midfielder
Ethan Galbraith 8
Excellent showing but booking rules him out of next games
Isaac Price 7
Worked hard but chances were few and far between
Jamie Reid 6
Withdrawn at the break after picking up a booking
Subs: Marshall 6 [for McCann, 75], Smyth 6 [for McNair, 75], Magennis 7 [for Reid, 46]
Not used: McDonnell, Southwood, Hazard, Devlin, Toal, Saville, McConville, D Charles, Donley
#Northern #Ireland #player #ratings #narrow #World #Cup #qualifying #defeat #Germany
