Germany vs Northern Ireland. FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Group C.
HDI-Arena.
Tuesday 11 October 2016 23:33, UK
Germany made it three wins from three in World Cup Qualifying Group C with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland on Tuesday.
Julian Draxler and Sami Khedira netted for the hosts in the opening 20 minutes in Hanover.
Germany dominated possession throughout on a slick surface but could not add to their tally, while Northern Ireland threatened sporadically on the break without creating any clear openings.
Michael O'Neill's side stay third in the group after Czech Republic's goalless home draw with Azerbaijan.
Unlike the previous meeting between Northern Ireland and Germany at Euro 2016, when only a standout performance from goalkeeper Michael McGovern kept the scoreline at 1-0, this time the Norwich keeper was not overly worked, despite the hosts controlling the contest throughout.
O'Neill made several surprise decisions, most notably handing Rangers' Lee Hodson his first competitive international start in three years.
Aaron Hughes and Corry Evans were also in the Northern Ireland starting line-up, with Josh Magennis preferred up front again to Kyle Lafferty.
The visitors did cause an early scare when Manuel Neuer's sliding clearance went straight to Jamie Ward some 40 yards out, but he could not control and get off a long-range shot towards the empty net.
From then on, the hosts were dominant and, after Mario Gotze saw a header saved, Draxler opened the scoring when he curled in a shot from the edge of the box.
A few minutes later the advantage was doubled as Mats Hummels headed an out-swinging corner back towards goal for Khedira to nod in from a few yards out.
But despite controlling possession, Germany found it tough to create any other clear openings in the first half.
Northern Ireland fashioned only a couple of opportunities at the other end, with Ward and Magennis shooting at Neuer and Corry Evans winning a free-kick right on the edge of the box when he might have squared for Ward in the middle.
Even the half-chances dried up for the visitors after the break as Germany took complete control, with their full-backs causing most of the problems.
Half-time substitute Ilkay Gundogan saw a volleyed shot blocked from Joshua Kimmich's cross before Khedira volleyed at McGovern.
Khedira then headed over the bar from six yards out before Gundogan spurned a similarly presentable opportunity when he shot over from around the penalty spot.
The Northern Ireland fans looked to rouse their team into a late surge with a rousing rendition of 'Will Grigg's on fire' but Germany closed out victory comfortably.
Northern Ireland's next encounter sees them host Azerbaijan on November 11.
Germany: Neuer, Hector (Volland 80), Hummels, Khedira, Draxler, Kroos, Ozil (Gundogan 45), Muller, Boateng (Mustafi 69), Kimmich, Gotze.
Northern Ireland: McGovern, Hodson, Hughes, McAuley, J. Evans, Ferguson, Davis, Norwood (McNair 72), C. Evans, Ward (McGinn 61), Magennis (Lafferty 76).
