"Northern Ireland started their World Cup bid with a 3-1 win in Luxembourg. Jamie Reid's early opener was cancelled out by Aiman Dardari, but goals from Shea Charles and Justin Devenny gave Northern Ireland the win. However, Group A was blown wide open when Slovakia defeated Germany 2-0 in Bratislava. Many had tipped the Germans to top the group and qualify automatically with ease, but Julian Nagelsmann's side ended the opening round of fixtures bottom of the pile."
"They were under big pressure in their second game as Isaac Price brought Northern Ireland level in Frankfurt after Serge Gnabry's opener. A defensive mistake allowed Nadiem Amiri and a Florian Wirtz stunner, both of which came in the space of three minutes, saw the Germans through on the night. In the other game, Slovakia needed a 90th-minute winner from Tomas Rigo to battle past Luxembourg."
"The easiest way to qualify for the World Cup is to top the group and earn automatic qualification, while the runner-up in each group will progress to the play-off round. While finishing in the top two would make life straightforward for Northern Ireland, they could still earn a play-off due to winning their Nations League group last year. The top four Nations League winners who do not finish in the top two in their World Cup qualifying group will earn a play-off place."
Northern Ireland began World Cup qualifying with a 3-1 win in Luxembourg after Jamie Reid opened the scoring, Aiman Dardari equalised and Shea Charles and Justin Devenny restored the lead. Slovakia stunned Germany 2-0 in Bratislava, leaving Germany bottom after the opening round. Germany then beat Northern Ireland in Frankfurt after Serge Gnabry's opener; Isaac Price equalised, but a defensive mistake and quick goals from Nadiem Amiri and Florian Wirtz secured the win. Slovakia needed a 90th-minute Tomas Rigo winner to beat Luxembourg. Group winners qualify automatically, runners-up enter play-offs, and Nations League winners can also earn play-off places.
Read at www.bbc.com
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