Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany result - Nick Woltemade scores only goal of World Cup qualifying Group A clash at Windsor Park

Nick Woltemade scored the only goal as Germany edged out Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast.

The Newcastle United striker's first senior international goal settled the World Cup qualifying Group A clash, with Julian Nagelsmann's side moving three points clear at the summit.

The hosts thought they had taken the lead after 14 minutes at a raucous Windsor Park, when Dan Ballard fired into the roof of the net, only to be denied by the offside flag.

Germany subsequently struck what proved to be the winner in the 31st minute, with Woltemade bundling home from David Raum's inswinging corner.

The visitors squandered a great opportunity to double their lead just after the break, with Karim Adeyemi shooting wide when one-on-one with Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

At the other end, Ethan Galbraith saw a low drive tipped around the post, while Oliver Baumann denied substitute Callum Marshall from a tight angle later on.

The hosts continued to push, but their efforts ultimately proved in vain as Germany held on for all three points.

There is more major sport to come in Belfast, where the world's best snooker players descend on Sunday.

All the action will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The four-time world champions have now won each of the last 11 meetings between the nations.

Northern Ireland did have hope courtesy of their solid recent home record, which saw them go seven unbeaten in Belfast.

Roared on by the passionate Windsor Park crowd, they nearly took the roof off when Ballard fired home, only to be denied by the offside flag.

The hosts were undone just past the half-hour mark when Woltemade outmuscled the defence to break the deadlock, with what proved to be the decisive goal.

To their credit, the Green and White Army battled away after the break in their quest for an equaliser, but they were lacking that bit of quality and composure in the final third.

Germany, meanwhile, used all their experience to see out a victory that moves them three points clear at the Group A summit with two games remaining.

Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany

Northern Ireland have one last opportunity from a corner.

However, the referee blows for a Germany free-kick following a tussle between Magennis and Andrich in the six-yard box.

Both players are shown yellow cards, and that could be hit for the hosts.

The visitors look to run the clock down with a couple of late substitutions.

Woltemade, whose goal separates the sides, and Wirtz are replaced by Burkardt and Baku.

There is hope for the hosts, as they force a corner with three additional minutes announced by the fourth official.

However, Devenny's delivery is a disappointing one, and curls straight out of play.

Hume fizzes the ball into an unmarked Marshall in the box.

The youngster takes it in his stride, but Baumann is equal to his fierce drive from a tight angle.

A couple of conservative changes from Nagelsmann in a bid to see out this victory.

Pavlovic and Gnabry make way, with Anton and Andrich taking their places.

The hosts' latest spell of pressure leads to space for Galbraith to shoot from the edge of the box.

He connects well with the strike, but it is fractions too high.

There is still time for Northern Ireland, though a defeat here would not be the end of the world just yet.

Second place in Group A would still be a real possibility and, failing that, they may still reach the play-offs via their Nations League placing.

Regardless, the home fans continue to push their quest for a dramatic leveller.

Germany are still to the good, and closing in on an 11th straight win over Northern Ireland.

Can the hosts launch a late rally to stop the rot?

Northern Ireland come forward again, and the noise levels increase significantly as a result.

The ball is laid off to the edge of the box for Charles to strike, but it is blocked by the stubborn German defence.

O'Neill shuffles his pack with a pair of substitutions.

Marshall and Smith are introduced for the final quarter of an hour, with McCann and McNair making way.

Germany look for the second goal and the ball is fed into Gnabry.

He takes aim from a tight angle, but Peacock-Farrell does well to push his shot away and behind for a corner.

That is the goal tally Magennis would boast at international level if he could find an equaliser here.

Not only that, he would move joint-third of Northern Ireland's all-time list, alongside Steven Davis, Colin Clarke and Billy Gillespie.

That was effectively Adeyemi's last action of the game.

He is withdrawn by Nagelsmann in favour of Beier for the remaining 25 minutes.

The referee awards a free-kick against Wirtz, much to the frustration of Adeyemi.

The latter takes it too far, though, for the liking of the referee, who books him.