Report, score and target while Woltemade puts the Mannschaft team in the driver’s seat

Nick Voltimadi scored his first goal for Germany to put themselves in a strong position to automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland.

Germany began its campaign with its first-ever defeat away from home in World Cup qualifiers, with a score of 2-0 against Slovakia, last September. However, they then bounced back with home wins over Northern Ireland and Luxembourg.

The trip to Belfast was expected to be a tougher task, especially after Northern Ireland’s 2-0 win over Slovakia, but Germany got through that stage thanks to Newcastle United striker Voltimad continuing his good run of recent times.

Voltimade, who has scored four goals in seven appearances for Newcastle since joining them in August, scored his first goal for Germany with a header from David Raum’s corner kick, and that proved to be enough despite a spirited display from Northern Ireland.

Germany leads Group A on goal difference, while Northern Ireland is three points behind second-placed Slovakia, which achieved a victory over its guest Luxembourg.

Woltemade opens an account in Germany

Northern Ireland appeared to have taken the lead in the 14th minute when Dan Ballard scored after a clash in front of goal following a long ball from a free kick.

But the Sunderland defender was flagged offside, and Voltimed then calmed the Windsor Park fans with his first goal at senior international level.

Waltmad was top scorer at the European Under-21 Championship in the summer, netting eight goals, and continued the form that has quickly made him a Newcastle fan favorite with a close-range header.

Efforts to respond to Northern Ireland were insufficient

Karim Adeyemi should have put the game beyond doubt shortly after the restart, but the Borussia Dortmund striker fired wide after being set up by Florian Wirtz on the counter-attack.

Northern Ireland threatened to punish Julian Nagelsmann’s side for those errors as they produced a spirited effort in the second half.

Shea Charles brilliantly blocked a shot from Oliver Baumann after the hour mark, and then the German goalkeeper had to clear the ball from Ethan Galbraith, who strained the nerves of the visiting team late with another shot that narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Substitute Callum Marshall almost became a hero for the hosts when he showed composure after Trae Hume found him inside the box, but Baumann preserved a vital win for Germany.