NI put up brave fight in World Cup Mission Impossible as classy Germans produce masterclass
GAWA in fine voice as O'Neill's men kept plugging away to the end
Last updated 6th Oct 2017
Let’s face it, it was always going to be difficult…
And so it was on a chilled to the bone night in Belfast that Northern Ireland’s toughest test to date turned out to be a veritable Mission Impossible.
But a 3-1 defeat to Germany – the best team on the planet – was certainly no disgrace.
Joachim Low’s men had never lost a World Cup qualifier away from home and to be honest this incredible record never looked like disappearing at the National Stadium at Windsor Park.
In truth, Germany produced a masterclass without ever really busting a gut.
A spectacular long-range strike from Bayern Munich midfielder Sebastien Rudy after just 79 seconds set the scene for German domination.
Real Madrid’s lynchpin Tony Kroos sprayed the ball around the park with often mesmerizing pinpoint accuracy while at the back Jerome Boateng was a man mountain.
To be honest, there isn’t a weakness in the side even without talisman keeper Manuel Neuer and superstars such as Mezut Ozil.
Such is the strength in depth of this world football powerhouse that they can bring on from the bench the likes of young Manchester City slicker Leroy Sane and Liverpool’s Emre Can.
As for the boys in green and white, they refused to roll over like so many sides have succumbed to over the years.
Michael O’Neill’s side don’t know the meaning of giving up and despite the difference in class, never stopped trying to claw something out of the game.
Late on, Conor Washington was unlucky when his shot ricocheted off the bar after some fancy footwork from the fox in the box Josh Magennis.
You usually don’t get another chance with the Germans but Northern Ireland huffed and puffed and with just minutes on the clock, got their just reward when star man Magennis popped up with a goal to leave a very respectable scoreline.
In all, it was another big night to remember at Windsor and an extra special one for latest recruit, 24-year-old George Saville who was given a debut cameo role with just 10 minutes to go.
Once again, the GAWA were in fine voice – bringing each of their tenacious heroes over the line, singing every note of every song with gusto.
If there was disappointment at the first home defeat in four years, no-one in the stadium was showing it.
And now onto Norway and the chance to make another little piece of Norn Iron history.
With the players’ never-say-die attitude coupled with a support like no other, who would bet against qualification in Russia next year