Germany v Northern Ireland result - Florian Wirtz scores stunner as hosts fight back to secure win in World Cup qualifying

A spirited Northern Ireland were eventually undone by a quick-fire second half salvo, as they were beaten 3-1 by Germany in a World Cup qualifier in Cologne. 

Things got off to a poor start for the visitors, who found themselves 1-0 down within seven minutes, as Serge Gnabry, who scored a hat-trick when these teams met five years ago, burst onto a loose ball and calmly clipped past Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Michael O’Neill’s men grew into proceedings, and equalised through Isaac Price, who made a great run to peel off unmarked at the back post and wonderfully volleyed a deep corner into the roof of the net.

It took until after the break for the hosts to regroup, and a flurry of chances around the hour mark saw Peacock-Farrell make a fine double save from David Raum and Pascal Gross, while Waldemar Anton sent a bullet header whistling over the bar.

The goalkeeper then made a stunning stop from Florian Wirtz’s stabbed effort, but disaster struck moments later when he came for a cross and did not get there, allowing substitute Nadiem Amiri to poke into an empty net.

With deadlock broken, Germany were not looking back, and made it 3-1 through a gorgeous Wirtz 20-yard free-kick to kill off any hopes of a revival.

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And the forward continues: "The gaffer said three points would be a good trip, anything more would be a great trip. We've got three points. Now we've got two home games to look forward to."

Isaac Price is speaking to BBC Sport. He says it is "really disappointing" to come away from the game empty-handed.

On the goal: "To play a side as good as Germany and to score to put us 1-1 is amazing."

Germany moved level with Northern Ireland on three points from two games. The bad news comes from Luxembourg though, where Slovakia scored a late winner. They have won both of their matches and sit top of Group A.

They were made to work hard for it, but eventually the quality of Germany's substitutes helped them squeeze to a 3-1 success. Amiri made the world of difference as he came off the bench. Northern Ireland battled hard and showed great resilience, so have plenty of positives to take, but ultimately leave Cologne empty-handed.

The Liverpool man is twisting and turning inside the box and eventually sees a shot, aimed at the near post, guided to safety

And we're into it now

He gets penalised for a shirt pull as Wirtz tried to counter-attack

Jamie MacDonald is on for his international debut as goalscorer Price is withdrawn, while Toal is off, with Ruairi McConville coming on

Luxembourg are currently holding Slovakia to a 0-0 draw, so this might not be such a bad night for Northern Ireland!

Rudiger's night is over. He jogs off to be replaced by Jonathan Tah.

They do look a little shot of energy and confidence after that two-goal salvo. Having done so well to be level for so long, the momentum has now completely shifted Germany's way and Northern Ireland are hanging on.

George Saville and Callum Marshall replace Ali McCann and Galbraith

In all the excitement between the two goals, Dion Price was introduced for Jamie Reid.

That could be game over. The visitors give away a free kick just outside their area. Wirtz sets himself and floats a gorgeous free-kick over the wall and past the outstretched hand of Peacock-Farrell.

After all those heroics, Peacock-Farrell comes from another dangerous ball in from deep, but this time he's taken out of the game by doing so. Amiri is unmarked by the penalty spot. All he has to do is tap into an empty net, and he does just that. The hosts are back in front

A ball into the box from the Germany causes all kinds of problems. It's an in-swinger, and Wirtz runs onto it unmarked. He stabs a foot at it and the goalkeeper has to react from point blank range, changing his direction to get a hand on it and palm away.

He replaces Gross as Germany make their third change

And from the resulting free-kick Germany come almightily close to going back in front. It's met by Anton, who thunders a header narrowly over the bar