Belfast – Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill expressed his disappointment following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Germany in their 2026 World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park on Monday. A first-half header from Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade proved to be the difference between the two sides, leaving the Northern Irish side with a feeling of missed opportunity.
"It’s a sore loss, there’s no doubt about it," O’Neill stated in a post-match interview. "We knew this was going to be a tough game against a strong German side, and we prepared accordingly. I felt we matched them for long periods, but that single goal was enough to separate us."
The match saw Germany dominate possession with 68%, but Northern Ireland created several chances, registering 12 shots compared to Germany's 11. However, the home side struggled to convert their opportunities, with only three shots on target compared to Germany's two.
Germany had come into the match as favorites, but O’Neill had rallied his team following their victory over Slovakia. Germany, keen to maintain momentum from their 4-0 win over Luxembourg, fielded a strong starting lineup.
The decisive moment arrived just past the half-hour mark when Woltemade connected with a David Raum corner to head past Northern Ireland's goalkeeper. Despite the setback, Northern Ireland continued to press, but they couldn't find a way through the German defense.
O’Neill acknowledged Germany's quality but emphasized his team's effort and determination. "We showed great spirit and commitment. We were well-organized and made it difficult for them to create clear-cut chances," he said. "But against top teams, you need to take your opportunities when they come, and we didn't do that tonight."
The result leaves Germany at the top of Group A with nine points from four games, while Northern Ireland sits in third place, three points behind both Germany and Slovakia.
Looking ahead, O’Neill said, "We have two crucial games coming up in November against Slovakia and Luxembourg. We need to pick ourselves up, learn from this experience, and focus on securing positive results in those matches." Northern Ireland will travel to Slovakia on November 14 and then host Luxembourg on November 17.
