Germany vs. Northern Ireland live ticker: 3-1! Wirtz increases the lead for the German national team

• In the video above: DFB team secures mandatory victory against Northern Ireland - Nagelsmann reacts to whistles

1:0 Gnabry (7th), 1:1 Price (34th), 2:1 Amiri (69th), 3:1 Wirtz (72nd)

... about the game: "I said before that momentum was all that mattered today. We deserved to take the lead. After the equalizer, we were unsettled, and the mood was a bit subdued. Suddenly, the boys bounced back and scored again. In the end, we deserved to win, but we had to. It was too easy when we equalized. You have to stand united as a defensive player and block. We have to block this player better and offer more resistance."

...on the fans' boos at halftime: On the one hand, you have to "show understanding for the fans because they expect something different. I think a ticket like that costs a bit, and they want to see a different kind of football. I can understand that," he told RTL: "On the other hand, I can also say that such boos don't really help you move forward much at halftime. If you do everything together—that's what we still have to understand in our country—then it actually usually works much better. I understand if someone is dissatisfied; I almost whistled in the locker room on Thursday. It's just like that sometimes."

Florian Wirtz: "We all know that the last game was a disaster. We definitely wanted to do better today—also for ourselves. We started the game very well, played well, and can build on that performance."

Nadiem Amiri: "I was fired up and very motivated today. We had to make up for the last game. It was a great atmosphere today. It's clear that we're not going through an easy phase. Every opponent at this level is good and always doubly motivated against Germany. The Northern Irish did well. In the end, the win counts."

All you need to know about the match: Won - but how? After a substitute goal from Nadiem Amiri and a free kick from Florian Wirtz, a late-strike national football team laboriously defeated Northern Ireland 3-1 (1-1). Despite the redeeming double strike in the 69th and 72nd minutes, doubts on the rocky road to the 2026 World Cup have not diminished much three days after the 0-2 false start in Slovakia.

After Bratislava's lifeless performance, Julian Nagelsmann, in his 25th game as national coach with a team made five changes, failed to achieve any relief, but at best managed to limit the damage in Group A.

At least the substitution of first-time goalscorer Amiri and striker Maximilian Beier after the hour ensured a happy ending in front of 43,169 relieved spectators in Cologne. The duo sparked a lot of momentum in attack.

An early goal by Serge Gnabry (7') gave fans hope for a relaxed evening of football. But after the limited-team Northern Ireland equalized through Isaac Price (34'), further disappointment loomed. Loud whistles erupted at halftime. The World Cup qualifiers continue on October 10 against Luxembourg in Sinsheim, followed three days later by the return match against Northern Ireland in Belfast.

Germany: Baumann - Anton, Koch, Rüdiger, Raum - Kimmich, Groß - Gnabry, Wirtz, Leweling - Woltemade

Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell - Hume, McNair, Toal - Bradley, McCann, Charles, Devenny - Galbraith, Price - Reid

8:16 p.m.: Nagelsmann demands a response from his team after the embarrassing 2-0 defeat in Bratislava. In an RTL interview, the national coach says: "We've had many individual discussions. But at some point we have to put this behind us and look forward. The starting eleven is the right one for the current situation. We have to show a different face today."

7:31 p.m.: The German national team lineup is here! As previously reported, Nagelsmann reacted with five substitutions compared to the defeat in Bratislava. Collins, Tah, Mittelstädt, Goretzka, and Stiller were on the bench. Koch, Anton, Raum, Groß, and Leweling were given the chance to prove themselves from the start against Northern Ireland.

Sunday, September 7, 10:13 a.m.: Julian Nagelsmann is making major changes against Northern Ireland! As "Bild " reports, the national coach is planning five changes to the starting eleven: Leon Goretzka, Maxi Mittelstädt, Nnamdi Collins, Jonathan Tah, and Angelo Stiller will be replaced. Waldemar Anton, David Raum, Robin Koch, Jamie Leweling, and Pascal Groß will move into the first lineup.

Nagelsmann made it clear in yesterday's press conference: "We have to find suitable players." After the disappointing defeat against Slovakia, the newly formed eleven is now looking to make amends.

After a poor start to World Cup qualifying, the national football team must correct the miserable impression of the 2-0 defeat in Slovakia in their second match against Northern Ireland. Julian Nagelsmann announced personnel changes for Sunday's match (8:45 p.m./RTL) – but the national coach did not provide any details about his plans.

"There will be some personnel changes," said the 38-year-old. Despite the disappointment over the poor performance in Bratislava, however, the national coach added that he "will not replace ten players." It remains to be seen whether Joshua Kimmich will be moved back to the right-back position or remain in defensive midfield.

In Group A of the qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup finals, the German national team is under pressure after just one of its six matches. Underdogs Northern Ireland opened with a 3-1 win over Luxembourg. With zero points, Germany is surprisingly bottom of the table. Only the group winner will qualify for the World Cup. If Nagelsmann misses out on the top spot, he and his team will have to secure their place in the tournament in two knockout matches in March.