Germans top in Belfast battle

N Ireland 0 Germany 2

Marcel Halstenberg

Germany beat hosts Northern Ireland 2-0 last night to get their Euro 2020 qualification on track as they bounced back from last week's loss to the Netherlands in Group C.

Defender Marcel Halstenberg drilled the ball in three minutes after the restart following a lacklustre first half by the Germans, who lost 4-2 at home to the Dutch on Friday, and Serge Gnabry added another goal in second-half stoppage time.

The result put Germany top on 12 points from five games, ahead on goal difference of Northern Ireland, who suffered their first loss of the campaign as captain Steven Davis became their most capped outfield player with 113 appearances.

The third-placed Netherlands, 4-0 winners away to Estonia, are on nine points from four matches.

Ryan Babel scored twice, Memphis Depay added an excellent third to mark his 50th cap and Georginio Wijnaldum netted a fourth late on as the Dutch recorded back-to-back wins under manager Ronald Koeman for the first time.