Summary

  • Smith put Northern Ireland ahead in Germany

  • Gnabry (3) & Goretska (2) & Brandt score for Germany

  • NI into March's play-offs

  • Win sends Germany through ahead of Netherlands as group winners

  • Commentary on 5 Live Sports Extra & Radio Ulster

Live Reporting

Michael Emons

  1. Jonny Evans is a big loss

    Germany 4-1 Northern Ireland

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    It's another great ball in to Gnabry and his first touch was brilliant. The goalkeeper has no chance yet again, they're creeping inside the post every time. I think this shows how important Jonny Evans is in this team. We can't afford to lose a player of that calibre. When you talk about Manchester United buying a centre half, I think they bought the wrong one.

  2. goal

    GOAL - Germany 4-1 Northern Ireland

    Serge Gnabry (hat-trick)

    He left Arsenal, he couldn't make it at West Brom, but what a player Serge Gnabry is turning into.

    The ball is played into him, he holds off the challenge of Tom Flanagan and just about manages to keep his balance before slotting the ball past Bailey Peacock-Farrell from a tight angle.

    That's 13 goals in 13 internationals for Gnabry. This could get embarrassing for Northern Ireland.

  3. CLOSE!

    Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland

    Jonas Hector is again involved, this time swinging in a gorgeous cross from deep on the left. Serge Gnabry goes for his hat-trick and is ahead of his marker but can only glance a header wide of the post.

  4. Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland have just not been able to control the German full-backs. Jonas Hector has two assists from the left and Lukas Klostermann one from the right.

    Klostermann, once more, is free, his first cross bounces back to him and he then drills an effort goalwards but it only hits the side netting.

  5. GREAT SAVE!

    Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland

    Nearly a fourth for Germany. Toni Kroos strikes low and hard from 25 yards, with the Northern Irish defence backing off, but Bailey Peacock-Farrell gets quickly down to his right to push the ball around the post.

  6. It's damage limitation now

    Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    We've gone to sleep again. We've come out for the second half and we haven't switched on. If you give these guys the space then they are going to do that. The strike from Gnabry was excellent and the goalkeeper had no chance. He's not getting anywhere near that. It's damage limitation now.

  7. goal

    GOAL - Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland

    Serge Gnabry (Germany)

    Two for Serge Gnabry, three for Germany.

    Any hope of a Northern Ireland fightback is squashed within 90 seconds of the restart.

    Germany knock it about looking to create the opportunity, then they put their foot down. It gets released to Lukas Klostermann on the right, he pulls it back to an unmarked Gnabry, and just with his first goal, he takes one touch to set himself and the ball is in the net with his second as he blasts it past Peacock-Farrell.

  8. Germany 2-1 Northern Ireland

    The second half gets going. Can Northern Ireland find an equaliser?

  9. Smith needs help - Carroll

    Germany 2-1 Northern Ireland

    Roy Carroll
    Former Northern Ireland goalkeeper on BBC Radio Ulster

    Michael [Smith] is probably in too tight and needs to be preparing for that ball because it's been happening a lot in the first-half. It's a bit of a makeshift defence but Michael is a good player and he took his goal very well. He maybe needs a bit of help from Cathcart, who could tell him to push out. Hopefully Michael O'Neill sees that and makes some changes in the second half.

  10. Don't miss this

    Germany 2-1 Northern Ireland

    BBC One Northern Ireland is the channel to have on at 23:15 GMT to watch Michael Smith's stunning goal.

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  11. Hector the danger man

    Germany 2-1 Northern Ireland

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    Gnabry missed it at the front post and I think that caught everybody out. I think Michael Smith is tucking in far too tight to the centre backs, which isn't giving him enough time to close the ball from Hector down. In saying that, it was a great ball into the box and very difficult to defend.

  12. HALF-TIME

    Germany 2-1 Northern Ireland

    Michael Smith's early stunner sent the Northern Irish fans wild, but goals from Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka have given the Germans a 2-1 advantage at half time.

    Michael O'Neill will be happy with his side's efforts though at the break, although they need to stop Jonas Hector's surging runs from left back, as he has two assists to his name.

  13. goal

    GOAL - Germany 2-1 Northern Ireland

    Leon Goretzka (Germany)

    From 1-0 down to 2-1 up. Germany score again, and it has again come down their left wing.

    Jonas Hector pulls it back from the byeline, Serge Gnabry, who scored the first, has a fresh-air attempt and misses the ball, but it then falls to Leon Goretzka, whose effort hits the foot of the post and just about dribbles over the line.

  14. Dutch top of the group as it stands

    Netherlands 2-0 Estonia (42 mins)

    Germany need to score again to win the group as the Netherlands are currently moving above them as they are beating Estonia 2-0 thanks to goals from Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake.

  15. Germany 1-1 Northern Ireland

    Ex-Liverpool man Emre Can is lucky to avoid a booking as he catches Jordan Thompson on the ankle with a challenge from behind. But no card.

  16. Germany 1-1 Northern Ireland

    Panic in the Northern Irish defence as they try to deal with a curling ball into the penalty area from Germany's Julian Brandt.

    Defender Craig Cathcart and goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell collide with each other and luckily Tom Flanagan is the closest to the danger to clear it.

  17. Germany 1-1 Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland have still had their moments despite Germany pulling it back level. Jordan Thompson gets free down the left and fires in a low cross, which Jonathan Tah, sliding in, does well to clear it before Josh Magennis can get there.

    Good game this one. Northern Ireland very much in it.

  18. Germany 1-1 Northern Ireland

    Jonas Hector and Serge Gnabry just linked up for Germany's goal and the pair combine for another chance for the hosts.

    This time it is a cross from Hector and a header from Gnabry but there is not enough power on it to cause any danger for Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

  19. Germany 'a class act'

    Germany 1-1 Northern Ireland

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    We gave them far too much room. I thought we were just a yard off for the first time in the game. I think Peacock-Farrell got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out. I think Michael O'Neill will be disappointed but they are a class act.

  20. goal

    GOAL - Germany 1-1 Northern Ireland

    Serge Gnabry (Germany)

    Northern Ireland are pegged back after only holding the lead for 12 minutes. Jonas Hector has the space on the left wing to pull it back, Serge Gnabry takes a touch, spins and blasts it into the roof of the net from 12 yards out. Great finish and we're level in Frankfurt.