Overview

• Nick Woltemade, 23, scored his first international goal with a 31st‑minute shoulder finish from a David Raum corner.
• Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann preserved the win with late stops, including a point-blank save from Callum Marshall in the 88th minute.
• The result ends Northern Ireland’s near two‑year home unbeaten run on Michael O’Neill’s 100th match in charge.
• Germany go top of Group A and can clinch direct qualification in November, with a trip to Luxembourg on November 14 and a home finale against Slovakia in Leipzig on November 17.
• Creativity in open play remains a concern as Germany again relied on a set piece and missed chances such as Karim Adeyemi’s one‑on‑one just after halftime.