Woltemade header sends Germany past Northern Ireland

A first-half header from Nick Woltemade was enough as Germany edged a dogged Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast on Monday to stay top of their 2026 World Cup qualifying group.

Woltemade put the visitors in front with a header after 31 minutes, scoring his first goal in Germany colours.

The win kept Germany top of their group on goal difference ahead of Slovakia, who beat Luxembourg 2-0 on Monday. 

Both Germany and Slovakia have three wins in four matches, with only the first-placed side guaranteed to qualify for next year’s World Cup. The Germans host Slovakia in Leipzig in November. 

Despite the loss, Northern Ireland are only three points off the lead. Their final two fixtures are away against Slovakia and at home to Luxembourg, who have lost four from four. 

Looking to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1986, Northern Ireland came into the match with wind in their sails after a shock 2-0 win over the previously unbeaten Slovakia. 

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann also wanted to keep the momentum from Friday’s 4-0 win over Luxembourg, naming the same starting team two games in a row for the first time since Euro 2024.

The Germans survived an early scare when Daniel Ballard’s 14th-minute strike was rubbed out for an offside in the build-up.

Just past the half-hour mark, Woltemade nodded in a David Raum corner to put Germany in front. 

Only one of Woltemade’s 17 goals for Stuttgart last season were headers but the 1.98-metre striker has clearly worked hard to make the most of his height advantage. 

Since making his big-money move to Newcastle in the summer, Woltemade has scored three of his five goals for club and country with his head.

Karim Adeyemi had a golden chance to double Germany’s lead just after the break when put through on goal by Florian Wirtz, but the Borussia Dortmund forward hit his shot straight at the home goalkeeper.

Northern Ireland forced a corner in the hope of pinching a point in stoppage time but the Germans held firm, Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah clearing the ball away.