Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland Player Ratings: David Raum 8/10 Rated as Germany's Second-Half Surge Secures 3-1 Win

Germany hosted Northern Ireland for their second game of the 2026 World Cup qualifying round. They looked to move forward after a crushing defeat at the hands of Slovakia in the last match. From the first whistle, Germany showed their hunger for the win, going after the goal from the start. And within 10 minutes, Serge Gnabry scored the opening goal for his team after Woltemade picked him up with a simple pass. But things changed as Isaac Price somehow managed to level the score before halftime.

German football players continued pressing and looked certain of scoring a couple more. Meanwhile, the visitors were sitting deep and defending everything with their bodies on the line and looked to counter if any situation arose. Die Nationalelf's dedication brought results as they managed to nick past the goalkeeper with two goals in under 3 minutes through Nadiem Amiri and Florian Wirtz. That broke the spirit of the visitors as they looked dejected afterwards, as they looked spent with no energy in their legs. Although the German National Football Team managed to win this game, they looked far more uncomfortable at the back than ever. Here are the Germany vs Northern Ireland player ratings.

Germany Player Ratings vs Northern Ireland

Here are the Germany player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Oliver Baumann - 6.0: A spectator for large parts of the game. He had absolutely no chance with the goal he conceded from point-blank range. His distribution was tidy enough, but he was rarely called into significant action. We noticed he commanded his box well on the few crosses that came in.

Defenders

Antonio Rüdiger - 6.0: A slightly chaotic performance from the defender. He picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge and seemed a bit off his usual dominant self. What stood out to us was his frustration before he was substituted. He just wasn't at the races.

Robin Koch - 6.5: A much more composed figure at the back compared to his partner. He was comfortable on the ball, recycling possession with an impressive 91% pass accuracy. He made a couple of key clearances and a crucial blocked shot. A quiet but effective evening's work.

Waldemar Anton - 7.0: A powerhouse performance. He was a constant threat from set-pieces and was desperately unlucky to see his header crash off the crossbar. Defensively he was solid, winning his aerial duels and making 5 clearances. He had more touches than anyone on the pitch, which was surprising.

Midfielders

Pascal Groß - 7.0: Immense energy and work rate in the midfield engine room. He was all over the pitch, winning 7 duels and breaking up play effectively. We noticed he was a key figure in Germany's early dominance before being subbed.

Joshua Kimmich - 7.5: The maestro in the middle of the park. He dictated the tempo of the entire game with an incredible 97% pass completion. He was always available, always showing for the ball. His vision created a huge chance, and he was the calm head Germany needed.

Jamie Leweling - 7.5: A thrilling, direct performance on the wing. His willingness to run at defenders was a constant outlet for Germany, completing 5 successful dribbles. His final ball wasn't always perfect, but his non-stop energy and effort were infectious and caused major problems.

David Raum - 8.0: From our perspective, the clear man of the match. He was an absolute menace down the left flank all night. He provided a crucial assist and created two big chances for his teammates. Defensively, he was solid, making key tackles and clearances. An outstanding all-around performance and our highest-rated player.

Forwards

Nick Woltemade - 6.5: He'll be happy with his contribution, grabbing an assist for the opening goal. However, he struggled to impose himself on the game consistently. He lost possession a bit too often for our liking, but his creative spark was undeniable in that one key moment.

Florian Wirtz - 8.0: Simply a joy to watch. His goal from the free-kick was pure class, a moment of individual brilliance. Beyond the goal, he was a nightmare for defenders, drawing 4 fouls and always looking to create. He recovered the ball 8 times, showing his impressive work rate off the ball too.

Serge Gnabry - 7.5: Classic Gnabry. He made a smart run and finished clinically for the opening goal, showing his predatory instincts. He looked sharp and dangerous every time he got the ball. His job was done after an hour, a very effective shift.

Substitutes

Nadiem Amiri - 7.5: A game-changing substitution. He came on and immediately scored the vital second goal that put Germany back in control. His energy and direct running were exactly what the team needed to break down a stubborn defense. A massive impact.

Maximilian Beier - 6.0: Didn't quite have the same impact as his fellow sub. He worked hard and made some decent runs but wasn't able to get into goalscoring positions. A quiet 30-minute cameo.

Leon Goretzka - 6.5: Came on to add some steel and control to the midfield. He did his job perfectly, keeping things simple and ensuring Northern Ireland couldn't find a way back into the game. A professional performance.

Jonathan Tah - N/A: Brought on late to see out the result, not enough time to warrant a rating.

Manager

J. Nagelsmann - 7.5: The initial lineup felt a bit experimental and they were caught out for the equalizer. However, his second-half changes were absolutely perfect. Bringing on Amiri was a masterstroke that won Germany the game. He identified the problem and solved it decisively.

Northern Ireland Player Ratings vs Germany

Here are the Northern Ireland player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Bailey Peacock-Farrell - 5.0: A really tough evening for the keeper. While he made three saves, his error leading to a goal was a killer blow. From our perspective, his confidence seemed to drain after that, and his distribution was shaky throughout.

Defenders

Eoin Toal - 5.0: A difficult night at the office for the defender. He was caught out for a goal with a costly error. He battled but struggled against the pace and movement of the German attack. A harsh learning experience for him.

Trai Hume - 6.0: He fought bravely as the captain of a defense under siege. He put his body on the line with blocks and clearances. It was a thankless task, but he never gave up and tried to organize his backline against overwhelming odds.

Paddy McNair - 6.5: The standout performer in the Northern Ireland defense. He read the game expertly, making an impressive 7 clearances. He was composed under pressure and seemed to be in the right place at the right time on numerous occasions. A valiant effort.

Midfielders

Conor Bradley - 6.0: A bundle of energy, but it often boiled over into ill-discipline. He made an incredible 7 tackles but also committed 4 fouls and picked up a booking. We admired his commitment, but he needs to add a bit more composure to his all-action style.

Justin Devenny - 7.0: A fantastic display from the midfielder. He provided the assist for the goal with a great delivery from a corner. He was a terrier in the tackle and tried to drive his team forward whenever possible. A real bright spark for the visitors.

Ali McCann - 5.5: He was simply overrun in the midfield battle. The game seemed to pass him by as Germany's midfielders dominated possession. He worked hard but couldn't get a foothold in the contest before being subbed.

Shea Charles - 6.5: An incredibly busy night for the midfielder. His tally of 6 interceptions shows just how much defensive work he had to get through. He was excellent at breaking up play but struggled with his passing under relentless German pressure.

Forwards

Ethan Galbraith - 5.5: He was almost anonymous for long stretches of the game. He was isolated up front and couldn't get involved in the play. His booking for a clumsy foul summed up a frustrating evening for him.

Jamie Reid - 5.5: It was a thankless job leading the line. He battled for everything in the air but was completely starved of any decent service. A pass accuracy of just 13% tells you everything you need to know about the quality of ball he received.

Isaac Price - 7.0: He'll be the hero for the travelling fans. He showed great striker's instincts to pop up and score the equalizer. Beyond the goal, he worked tirelessly for the team. A very positive performance from the young forward.

Substitutes

Callum Marshall - N/A: Not on long enough to receive a rating.

George Saville - N/A: Not on long enough to receive a rating.

Jamie McDonnell - N/A: Not on long enough to receive a rating.

Ruairi McConville - N/A: Not on long enough to receive a rating.

Manager

M. O'Neill - 6.0: His game plan was nearly perfect for an hour. His team was organized, disciplined, and frustrated a top-tier nation. They were a threat from set-pieces and got their goal. Ultimately, the gulf in quality and squad depth was just too much to overcome.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is David Raum