Florian Wirtz scored an excellent free-kick for Germany as they beat Conor Bradley‘s Northern Eire 3-1 in World Cup qualifying.
The stress was on Germany forward of their second recreation this week, having misplaced 2-0 in opposition to Slovakia on Thursday.
Wirtz, particularly, had obtained some criticism from components of the German press, however he answered them in fashion with a incredible free-kick to earn his facet’s first factors of World Cup qualification.
With Bradley lining up as a right-wing again for Northern Eire, the guests to Cologne went behind simply seven minutes in, as Serge Gnabry completed with panache.
Michael O’Neil’s crew carried their very own risk, too, and equalised half an hour later due to West Brom ahead Isaac Worth’s highly effective end.
It wasn’t to be for Northern Eire, although, as they conceded twice within the second half, first via Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri, then Wirtz.
The Liverpool No. 7 had his second after 72 minutes when, 25 yards from aim, he superbly bent the ball over the wall and past diving goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell into the ‘keeper’s prime proper nook.
“That is why he is price £100 million!” ?
A second of high quality from Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz helps Germany beat Northern Eire.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/WGr5vC4J2A
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) September 7, 2025
As he ran to rejoice, the 22-year-old held a finger to his ear in a reference to the flak he had obtained from some in Germany.
Wirtz and Bradley each performed the complete match however now have a six days to recuperate earlier than Liverpool’s match in opposition to Burnley on Sunday.
The consequence leaves Germany and Northern Eire on three factors every, with Slovakia main Group A having taken six factors from six. Luxembourg sit backside with a unfavorable three aim distinction.
Alexander Isak will “hopefully” play on Monday evening
Alexander Isak hasn’t performed a aggressive recreation of soccer since Could 25, however he may very well be in line to make a return as Sweden face Kosovo away from house on Monday night, a match they’re anticipated to win comfortably.
With solely three periods beneath his belt earlier than Friday evening’s 2-2 draw in opposition to Slovenia, Isak sat on the bench for the sport.
“He had solely executed three coaching periods with the crew,” Sweden supervisor Jon Dahl Tomasson instructed Viaplay, by way of Fotbollskanalen.
“No pre-season with the crew and naturally no enjoying time. The chance might be a bit too nice to make use of him.”
He reiterated his resolution to varied reporters on the evening, explaining that, “We’d have cherished to place him within the crew right away.
“However after solely three coaching periods, no regular pre-season and no matches for 3 months, it’s too large a danger.”
Tomasson, although, hopes the striker can play a component within the match in opposition to Kosovo, saying: “Hopefully, hopefully. As a ‘game-changer’.”
