FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland (19:45 BST)
Serge Gnabry lifts over Bailey Peacock-Farrell to score early opener
Isaac Price volleys home from corner to level with 10th international goal
Substitute Nadiem Amiri slots home to restores home side's lead
Liverpool's Florian Wirtz adds third with curling free-kick to seal Germany's first win in World Cup qualifying
Get involved with Germany v Northern Ireland player rater
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Image source, Getty ImagesThat's all from us tonight. It wasn't to be for Northern Ireland, but all focus will now turn to the two home games at Windsor Park next month.
You can read Jonathan Bradley's report from Cologne here, and keep an eye out on the BBC Sport app and website for highlights and reaction from tonight's game.
Thanks for joining us and enjoy the rest of your evening!
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Image source, Getty ImagesNorthern Ireland defender Conor Bradley on BBC iPlayer: "Frustrated. It was a difficult night but we feel we should have got more from the game. They are a top side but we matched them really well. Everyone is disappointed."
"In the first half we were brilliant. We defended really well. It wasn't on the edge of our box either, we pressed them high up the pitch and made it difficult. We're just all disappointed."
On the three goals conceded: "All three goals are disappointing for different reasons. Especially the second one with the timing. The third one was a fantastic strike but I didn't think it was a free-kick."
On his Liverpool team-mate Florian Wirtz scoring: "He'll take the bragging rights tonight but he still has to come to Belfast.
"It's always a privilege to play at Windsor Park. The fans tonight were fantastic, I can't wait to get home and play in front of them."
On Northern Ireland's progress: "We're definitely getting better as a team. We've got to keep progressing and keep getting better. We should have got more from the game, there's still a lot to improve on but we're going in the right direction."
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Stephen Craigan
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Sport NI
Justin Devenny got a little bit more fatigued as the game went on but the first 60 minutes, I think that was the best performance that he has done in a Northern Ireland jersey.
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Gerry Armstrong
Former Northern Ireland International on BBC Sport NI
Germany know that they are going to have a battle when they come to Windsor Park, all the teams will.
I think we played well tonight with what we have and hopefully we give them a lot more when they [Germany] come to us.
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann speaking on BBC iPlayer: "Yes it was an important win. Important we got the three points and win our home game. Half-time our fans were not that happy with the result and how we were playing.
"Our start to the game was good, I think the lead was well deserved, the equaliser was the only shot on our goal, it was a brilliant shot but the longer the game the more power we got on the pitch. Well deserved win."
On Northern Ireland's display: "A lot of set-pieces, it is not easy or brilliant to watch but it is effective football. We have 12 set-pieces to defend but we only concede one, it is not easy to defend these set-pieces."
On October's game in Belfast: "It will be tougher than today because it is not our home game. The fans over there will be brilliant. Tonight, we heard their fans and in Belfast they will be louder."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Don't worry, Northern Ireland are still in second place and well on track for a play-off.
October's games at home to Slovakia and Germany are going to be huge.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Chris Brunt
Former Northern Ireland international on BBC Sport NI
I love watching Conor Bradley play, I think he is absolutely brilliant.
He is aggressive with everything he does and he gives everything you would expect from a Northern Ireland player.
I think he is a breath of fresh air.
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Stuart Dallas
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Sport NI
The challenge for the Northern Ireland players is now to go back to their clubs and play as much as they can between now and October and come back fit and give it a go.
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Chris Brunt
Former Northern Ireland international on BBC Two NI
The three home games are vital. I know we were joking that we have to win them all but why not?
We have seen that Germany are vulnerable and especially in Belfast, I don't see why we can't get a result against them.
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Here's Northern Ireland's remaining fixtures in Group A.
Windsor Park is going to be rocking in October when Slovakia and Germany come to town.
Image source, BBC SportFT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich speaking on BBC iPlayer on the game: "We knew it was going to be difficult, and it was. We conceded the equaliser off the set-piece, but it was the only chance for them and we had a controlled win today."
On the German crowd booing at half-time: "You hear it when you go inside and you feel the atmosphere and we wanted to improve in the second half, we did, we won and afterwards they could celebrate again."
On Northern Ireland's display: "They didn't surprise me, they have a good team and a special style of playing football. It was a good team, and we are really happy with the win."
On the return game at Windsor Park in October: "We look forward, hope for a big atmosphere and hope for the same result as tonight."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Stuart Dallas
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Sport NI
Justin Devenny stuck to the challenge and done very well. You could see the belief grow in him when he got a couple of passes away and got on the ball.
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Stephen Craigan
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Sport NI
The big change Germany made, taking off Woltemade whose movement I thought was poor, he was quite static and the centre-halves were comfortable, and then to bring on Beier who started to run in behind and he was dynamic and caused the issue for the second goal.
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Chris Brunt
Former Northern Ireland international on BBC Sport NI
Northern Ireland are a young squad with young players all around it.
It is hard when you are playing against big countries and they are bringing on big players who could change the game and you're looking at the bench and we have good young players, but they have never experienced this before.
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Here's more from O'Neill on the growing maturity: "Of course, they are two World Cup games away from home, and to come here and play a German team, who maybe aren't in their best moment, but we're bringing 20-year-olds and a 19-year-old off the bench. We have to be realistic of where we are."
On the two home games coming up: "It's tough to play two games away from home. We got what we hoped for, but we're a bit disappointed it's not a little bit more, but we have to be ready to play back to back at home and we know two good results will put us in a good position."
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Image source, Getty ImagesNorthern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill on BBC iPlayer: "We're very proud of the display but there's a sense of disappointment, which is understandable. Look, this is a really tough game second game in a short space of time. We just don't have the depth to cope in this situation. For 60 or 65 minutes we were well in the game. The second goal is a bit of a freak goal, we could have defended it better. The third goal isn't a free-kick. It's a fantastic finish but it's a soft free-kick.
"I thought the referee was a bit fussy in the second half. He refereed it well in the first. We were well in the game and needed to get to that final 15 minutes and we might have had a final chance, but the game drifted away from us."
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Gerry Armstrong
Former Northern Ireland International on BBC Radio 5 live
Northern Ireland done themselves proud. When Germany got their goals, you could nearly hear the sigh of relief from the [home] fans.
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Stuart Dallas
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Two NI
It is not often you stand at the end of a 3-1 defeat and say that they can be pleased from the performance, but there is a lot to take from it.
Defensively they were very good, took advantage of a set piece and it's just a shame they couldn't hold on in the end.
FT: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
Nadiem Amiri, scorer of Germany's second goal, speaking on BBC iPlayer about his first goal for his country: "An unbelievable moment [to score], you dream of moments like this. It was my eighth game and it was an unbelievable feeling to score in Germany."
On the pressure on Germany: "We lost the first game, so everyone knew we had to win this one. Northern Ireland are a very strong team, and they were a tough opponent, but we did well in the end and all that matters is that we win."
Image source, Getty ImagesHighlights: Germany beat Northern Ireland with quick-fire double
At a glance
Serge Gnabry gave Germany seventh-minute lead in Cologne.
Northern Ireland's Isaac Price smashed home an equaliser for his 10th international goal.
Substitute Nadiem Amiri put Germany back in front in the 69th minute.
Liverpool's Florian Wirtz curls in super free-kick to make it 3-1.
A gritty performance from Northern Ireland was not enough to deny Germany a first win of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The under-pressure hosts were given a seventh-minute lead through Serge Gnabry but, on a nervy night in Cologne, Isaac Price's volleyed finish 11 minutes before half-time pegged back Julian Nagelsmann's side.
Northern Ireland held out until the 69th minute when Nadiem Amiri capitalised on some rare confusion at the back for the visitors before a curling free-kick from Liverpool's Florian Wirtz made it 3-1.
Coming in off the back of three defeats, the most recent of was Thursday's 2-0 loss in Slovakia to open their Group A campaign, Germany could not have hoped for a better start.
A heavy touch by centre-back Eoin Toal allowed Newcastle United's new signing Nick Woltemade nip in and steal the ball before putting Gnabry through on goal.
Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, earning his 50th Northern Ireland cap, had no chance of stopping the Bayern Munich man's composed finish.
The visitors took time to adjust to Germany's direct attacking style with Gnabry and Jamie Leweling both almost getting in behind from early balls forward.
Paddy McNair had to be alert to stop Woltemade getting a shot away with the San Diego FC man then having his side's first chance when he headed over from a corner on the half-hour mark.
It was from another corner four minutes later that Price was left unmarked six yards out and he fired Justin Devenny's delivery into the roof of the net.
David Raum had a goal disallowed for offside before the break, but Northern Ireland finished the half stronger with Shea Charles increasingly prominent.
As the pressure on the Germans ramped up, Leweling's rising effort just before the hour-mark was their first real sight of goal in the second-half.
Seemingly lifted, Germany forced Peacock-Farrell into a swift double-save before Waldemar Anton headed over from a corner.
The visiting keeper then made a brilliant instinctive save from Wirtz but, with 22 minutes remaining, he then left a hopeful long ball only to see substitute Amiri nip in and tap home into an empty net.
Three minutes later, Wirtz curled in a brilliant free-kick to make the game safe for Germany.
A consistent theme of manager Michael O'Neill's second tenure in charge of Northern Ireland has been a repeated desire to see his international players play their club football at as high a level as possible.
When, in the seventh minute, a heavy touch by Toal, a defender playing in League One, was pounced upon by a striker who last month was sold for £69m and finished off by a Bayern Munich attacker, Northern Ireland's challenge was laid bare.
Yet, there is more to international football than the talent on display - which Northern Ireland showed for more than half an hour in Cologne.
While it took some time to get to grips with Germany's direct style and the runs of Gnabry and Leweling in behind, once they did, the visitors provided more than a match for their vaunted opposition.
With the composed Charles increasingly instrumental, Price's equaliser 11 minutes before the break was the culmination of a period of real pressure.
In the almost two years between qualifying campaigns, when Northern Ireland played in the third tier of the Nations League, O'Neill cannily targeted friendly matches against a higher quality of opposition with just this sort of fixture in mind.
There were difficult nights against Spain and an Alexander Isak-led Sweden, losing 5-1 on both occasions, but they were better for the experience. This was a night when for a long period they were able to match a footballing heavyweight, albeit one short on form and confidence.
Eventually Germany wrested back control, and Wirtz's free-kick to rob the remaining minutes of any tension was another reminder of the opposition's quality, but this was a night that should give Northern Ireland plenty of belief, both for the remainder of this qualifying campaign and the future of this young team.
One has not had to look too far for consternation regarding the national team in Germany over the past three days.
With Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos - the last of the 2014 World Cup winning side - departing the scene after a quarter-final defeat by Spain at Euro 2024, there was almost a sense that Thursday's shock loss to Slovakia to start their campaign marked the end of the era.
It was a third defeat on the spin. Any anger over previous losses to Portugal and France could be tempered by the quality of opposition and, in the case of the latter, it coming in a Nations League third-place play-off.
To start their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off on such a note really ramped up the pressure and it was evident for long periods in Cologne on Sunday.
The hosts got the start they wanted, with Gnabry scoring against Northern Ireland for a fifth time after only six minutes.
Rather than the early lead having a settling influence, however, there was still a discernible edge to proceedings. Germany were noticeably direct, looking to get the ball forward early which, while looking dangerous at times, also contributed to an apparent lack of control.
Once Northern Ireland settled into the game, they deservedly equalised and the reaction of supporters to the half-time whistle underlined the pressure on the four-time World Cup winners after the restart.
They did not start the second half any better than they finished the first but ultimately took control of the game after Nagelsmann turned to his bench with a pair of substitutes heavily involved in the crucial second goal.
Then, if Northern Ireland will feel the first two goals they conceded were avoidable, Wirtz's free-kick was unstoppable.
The win will do little to change the mood, but Germany's campaign is up and running.
Northern Ireland: After a pair of away games to begin Pool A, Michael O'Neill's side are in Belfast twice next month.
First, they welcome group leaders Slovakia to Windsor Park on Friday, 10 October before getting reacquainted with Germany three days later.
Both fixtures will be live across the BBC.
Germany: The four-time World Cup winners' attempts to book their place at the 2026 tournament will continue when they host Luxembourg at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena on 10 October before that return to a Windsor Park venue where they have won on their past five visits.
Watch: Michael O'Neill reflects on his side's defect to Germany.
Watch:Julian Nagelsmann speaking after his side's victory over Northern Ireland.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
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| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
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| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
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4 Luxembourg | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
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4 Kosovo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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4 Belarus | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
4 Azerbaijan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 3 |
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4 Bulgaria | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
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| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
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4 Armenia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 10 |
| |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 10 |
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| 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 7 |
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4 Lithuania | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 3 |
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5 Malta | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 12 | -11 | 2 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 12 |
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| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 9 |
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| 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
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4 Cyprus | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
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5 San Marino | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 18 | -17 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 12 |
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2 Israel | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 9 |
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| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
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4 Estonia | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 13 | -8 | 3 |
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5 Moldova | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 14 | -12 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 11 |
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| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 13 | 10 |
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| 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 10 |
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4 Kazakhstan | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 11 | -8 | 3 |
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5 Liechtenstein | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 19 | -19 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 12 |
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| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 7 |
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| 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
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4 Latvia | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 4 |
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5 Andorra | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10 | -10 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 12 |
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| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 9 |
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3 Montenegro | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 6 |
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4 Faroe Islands | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
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5 Gibraltar | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 16 | -14 | 0 |
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Manager: Julian Nagelsmann
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Michael O'Neill
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Julian Nagelsmann
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Michael O'Neill
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
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