Germany edge Northern Ireland in Belfast: a gritty 1-0 to keep Euro 2026 dreams alive
14 October 2025
Germany edge Northern Ireland in a hard-fought Belfast victory
Germany earned a stubborn 1-0 win over Northern Ireland on Monday in Belfast, keeping them atop the UEFA Euro 2026 qualifying group. The result leaves Germany on nine points in Group A, level with Slovakia on points but ahead on goal difference, while Northern Ireland stay on six.
The only goal of the night came from a set piece: David Raum delivered a precise corner, and Nick Volltimad connected with a shoulder strike to beat the goalkeeper and seal the win.
The goal sparked celebrations in the German camp, but the performance was widely described as imperfect, with both teams forced to scrap for chances in a match that demanded grit more than elegance.
Volltimad spoke after the game, saying it felt special to score his first international goal. “It was very important for me to score my first international goal, and it felt right that it came off my shoulder; we took the three points and the mood is high,” he said, noting the difficult conditions and the raucous crowd.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann admitted it wasn’t their prettiest display, but stressed that three points from a tough away match are what matter in the run to 2026. The win also kept Germany’s title hopes alive as they chase qualification through the group stages.
Nagelsmann also faced questions about the goalkeeper situation after Manuel Neuer’s rumored return, insisting the team is built on collective effort rather than reliance on any single individual. He added that securing the result was the priority and that battles for second balls and physical duels defined a night where the ball spent plenty of time in the air.
Captain Joshua Kimmich acknowledged the intensity, saying the team would have liked more control, but emphasized that the points were the main prize and that the defensive record remains intact after two consecutive clean sheets.
David Raum praised the atmosphere and the team’s fighting spirit, calling the victory deserved, even if it came through a single moment from a set piece and the collective grit of the players.
Looking ahead, Germany will travel to Luxembourg on November 14, while Slovakia host Ireland on the same day. The group wraps up with Germany hosting Slovakia in Leipzig on November 17, and Ireland welcoming Luxembourg the same day. The group winner earns direct passage to the World Cup, while the runner-up will enter the European playoff in March.
As things stand, 22 teams have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The list spans every continent, including Africa’s Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, and Tunisia; Asia’s Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, and Uzbekistan; South America’s Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay; and Oceania’s New Zealand, plus the three hosts—USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The World Cup in 2026 will be the first with 48 teams, a leap from the 32-team format that had stood since 1998. The group phase promises drama, surprises, and plenty of debates about who deserves to be on the plane to North America.
So, yes, a win is a win, even when it feels like pulling teeth with a blunt toothbrush. Victory keeps the dream alive, even if the performance didn’t win any fashion awards.
Punchline time: If this Germany side can win ugly, imagine what they’ll do with a little polish—probably look at the score, clap politely, and call it art. Second punchline: Tonight, the ball may have flown, but the points didn’t—some teams should consider fashion statements, not just forwards, for the rest of the qualifiers.
