Trai Hume's first international goal sealed Northern Ireland's 2-0 win over Slovakia in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park.

With the visitors having won both their opening games in Pool A, Michael O'Neill's side could ill afford to lose any more ground before Germany's visit to Belfast on Monday, and they duly joined Slovakia on six points after a goal in each half.

An own goal from Patrik Hrosovsky opened the scoring after 18 minutes before Sunderland defender Hume netted with nine minutes remaining from a fine looping strike.

Northern Ireland started brightly but genuine chances had been limited before a neat exchange of passes between Conor Bradley and Ethan Galbraith sent the Swansea City midfielder charging towards the byeline, with a squared ball deflected into his own net by Hrosovsky.

As the hosts continued to press, Jamie Reid had a golden chance to double the lead 10 minutes before half-time, but the Stevenage forward blasted high and wide on his weaker foot after the ball broke his way six yards from goal.

Slovakia had to wait until the 52nd minute for their first real chance of the game when Middlesbrough forward David Strelec's cross was headed goalwards by Matus Bero, but Bailey Peacock-Farrell was able to palm the effort away having chased back into his net.

At the other end, Reid had a goal chalked off for offside after he diverted Shea Charles' curling effort beyond Martin Dubravka, but Slovakia were coming more and more into the game.

Strelec spurned a great chance for an equaliser when he rolled a shot just wide when put through by substitute Tomas Rigo, before Hume's composed lob over Dubravka from outside the penalty area ensured a key three points for Northern Ireland.

In the night's other game in Group A, four-time World Cup winners Germany beat 10-man Luxembourg 4-0 in Sinsheim.

Captain Joshua Kimmich scored twice with David Raum and Serge Gnabry also on target against opposition who had Dirk Carlson sent off after 20 minutes.

Since his return to the Northern Ireland dugout in 2022, Michael O'Neill has time and time gone back to the theme of the level where his squad play their club football.

To see four of his panel make Premier League debuts over the past 12 months has certainly been a source of encouragement for the manager, while Conor Bradley's top-flight quality was clear throughout.

O'Neill's all-Championship midfield, however, were crucial in exerting control across an especially impressive first half.

With the return of defender Brodie Spencer to the squad after missing out last month through injury, there could have been the temptation to start the Oxford United man down the left flank and allow Crystal Palace's Justin Devenny to feature in his more natural midfield position.

O'Neill opted against the change and was rewarded with Shea Charles, Ali McCann and Galbraith keeping possession and putting their side on the front foot throughout the opening 45 minutes.

While Slovakia clearly missed Napoli's Stanislav Lobotka in the middle of the park, Northern Ireland's superiority there set a real platform, with the link between Galbraith and the brilliant Bradley down the right proving particularly dangerous. It was no surprise when that combination forced the opening goal after 18 minutes.

Such was Northern Ireland's dominance during the first half, Slovakia did not have a single touch in the opposition box, with the only blight of the opening 45 minutes for the hosts being their failure to find a second goal.

There were certainly times during the second period when that looked like it might prove costly, most especially when Strelec was put clean through, but he rolled his effort inches past the post.

Northern Ireland have proven resolute during this seven-game unbeaten streak at Windsor Park and have still conceded just once during the run.

After Hume's 81st-minute effort took the sting from the final minutes, Northern Ireland fans began to chant of winning the group. At the halfway stage of this six-game qualifying group, a first World Cup in 40 years remains the target.

Northern Ireland: Michael O'Neill's side are back in Belfast on Monday night (19:45 BST) as they welcome four-time World Cup winners Germany to Windsor Park.

After last month's reverse in Cologne, Northern Ireland have lost their past 10 meetings against their next opponents.

Conor Bradley will miss the game after picking up a booking against Slovakia.

Slovakia: Kicking off at the same time on Monday night, Slovakia return home for a first time since their surprise victory over Germany when they host Luxembourg in Trnava.