Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany: Michael O’Neill criticizes the “harsh” referee in Germany’s loss

O’Neill, who was in charge of NI for the 100th time as coach, praised his players for “giving everything” but was ultimately left to rue poor defending from a corner kick that allowed Woltemade to score, albeit fortuitously when the ball bounced off his shoulder and into the net.

Dan Ballard had a first-half goal disallowed, while Jamie Reid, Ethan Galbraith and Callum Marshall were among the players to go close as the NI side held off Germany in the final quarter of the game.

He added: “In the first half, we lacked a little confidence with the ball, but we were in the game and did not concede many chances.”

“The goal was strange, it hit his shoulder. We should have defended it better.

“We had a good performance in the second half. It’s a game in which we should have taken the lead; the goal was disallowed for offside and we shouldn’t have been offside.

“We had a chance or two at the end, Justin [Devenny] He didn’t decide to hit her, and Callum confronts the goalkeeper. “I feel a little tired at the end, but we couldn’t have asked for more and it’s disappointing to lose the game.”

The defeat left Northern Ireland in third place in Group A, three points behind Germany and Slovakia.

The national team will conclude its campaign with an away match against Slovakia and a home match against Luxembourg next month.

O’Neill admitted that their trip to Kosice is a must-win game to keep them in contention for second place in the group and secure a play-off spot.

“I haven’t really looked at it, but hopefully four points will be enough next month, but we have to go to Slovakia and make sure we don’t get beaten so we have something to play for,” he said.