Alright Jack, how's yer back, I haven't seen you for ears and ears! But I still nose yer! Yes! Two-game days are back, and equilibrium is restored.

Half-time: Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany. Germany are so much better than Northern Ireland as to be ridiculous. Harsh, but so.

Ward closes Hector down as he and Hummels try to triangle their way out of danger. The ensuing block clatters the lino, and then the whistle goes.

NI have done a little better these last few minutes - Germany haven't created a golden opportunity in some time.

Miserable behaviour from Mario Gomez! Ozil weaves at Cathcart and McAuley, then slides a ball directly into Gomez's path. He prepares to sweep home with ease and nonchalance, then manages to miscue.

Mats Hummels is startlingly handsome, even when misjudging the bounce of the ball and diverting it into his very own face.

NI cannot get the ball, and it's impossible to conceive of a means through which they might acquire a larger share of the same.

Germany are going for more too, and Hector meanders infield, rolling studs over the ball before finding Ozil outside him. His cross is kicked away, but Germany keep the pressure on and Gotze skates down the left then pulls back from the by-line to Muller. He allows the ball to run across his body, then ushers an expert's finish into the top corner - except it hits the underside of the bar! No composure, him.

Northern Ireland have a problem here - well, as far as this game goes. If they try and push forward, the only thing that's preventing this from being a hiding - weight of numbers at the back - won't be available to them.

GOAL! Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany (Gomez) This is delightfully constructed, Ozil directing a pass into Muller's path that guides him through the centre of the NI box. But Cathcart comes back at him, so he turns on the ball, back now to goal, and lays it into the path of Gomez, who forces a low shot past McGovern.

NI can't keep this up - they need to find a way of having more possession, because Germany are creating a decent chance with almost every attack.

Kimmich is a proper player, and he glides down the right again before ushering a delightful cross into the path of Muller's forehead. His bodyshape is perfect and he meets it perfectly, only to slam the bottom of the near post.

Lovely from Ward, picking Gotze's pocket in centrefield and driving forwards. Washington is to his right, but he goes it along and drives one just wide.

NI are serried in front of their own box now, and it's odd - they look comfortable, as you'd expect from so settled and drilled a defence, but then Germany create and miss yet another chance.

Lovely chest from Gomez to redirect Kimmich's pass into the box, directly into the stride of Thomas Akinbiyi. Right of the box, just McGovern to beat, he drags a shot narrowly past the far post.

NI players who sound like literary characters: Craig Cathcart D'Eath.

Northern Ireland's Michael McGovern punches clear of Germany's Mats Hummels

Hector goes down the left, and with everyone expecting a long cross, cuts back for Ozil instead. Except Gomez can't help but wave a boot at it first, forcing a snap-shot that yields nothing.

A long ball puts Muller in behind Evans, but he's running out of pitch, forced to slam it across the face of goal, where no one is.

Germany knock the ball about in front of the NI back-four, prompting and probing, before Cathcart gets a foot in when the attempted killer pass arrives.