Germany Stun Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast Thriller to Revive World Cup Hopes

Germany Back on World Cup Track After Win in Belfast BERLIN, GERMANY - In a crucial match for their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes, Germany secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Belfast. The win, which came courtesy of Nick Woltemade's awkwardly scored goal from a corner kick, has propelled the team back on track. The goal, which marked Woltemade's first for Germany, was a testament to the team's improved set-piece strategy under coach Mads Buttgereit. Since his arrival in 2021, Buttgereit has made significant changes to the team's approach, and it appears to be paying off. Of the eight goals scored by Germany in qualifying so far, five have come from set-pieces. "We've been working on our set-piece play for a while now, and it's great to see it paying off," said Buttgereit after the match. "The players are executing their roles perfectly, and we're getting some crucial goals out of it." Germany's win in Belfast was their second consecutive victory, following a 2-0 win over Luxembourg at home three days earlier. The team now sits atop Group E with 10 points from five matches. The team's performance has been a far cry from last year's struggles, when they scored no goals from corners or free kicks in both the Qatar World Cup and the European Championship. However, under Buttgereit's guidance, Germany appears to have turned a corner. "We knew we had to be solid defensively against Northern Ireland," said captain Nico Schlotterbeck. "The boys did an excellent job of shutting down their attacks, and we were able to capitalize on our chances." Germany's next match is scheduled for October 17th against Armenia in Cologne. The team will look to maintain their momentum and continue their push towards qualification. In the meantime, fans are celebrating the team's return to form. "It's a great feeling to see Germany back on track," said one fan outside the stadium in Belfast. "We're confident that we can make it to the World Cup next year." Germany's qualification journey is far from over, but with their recent performances, they appear to be on the right path. Statistics: Germany's 1-0 win over Northern Ireland marked their second consecutive victory. Of the eight goals scored by Germany in qualifying so far, five have come from set-pieces. Mads Buttgereit has been coaching Germany since 2021 and has made significant changes to the team's approach. Background: Germany is competing in Group E for World Cup qualification. The top two teams in each group will qualify directly for the tournament, while the third-placed teams will enter a playoff round. The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year. Germany has been struggling to find consistency in their qualifying matches but appears to have turned a corner with recent performances. Additional Perspectives: Germany's win over Northern Ireland was met with excitement from fans, who are eager to see their team succeed on the international stage. The team's improved set-piece strategy under Buttgereit has been praised by fans and pundits alike. As Germany looks to maintain their momentum, they will face a tough test against Armenia in their next match. However, with their recent performances, they appear to be on the right path towards qualification. *Reporting by Dw.*