Despite big dragons such as Germany and the Netherlands, ahead of tonight's game, little Northern Ireland led Group C in the European Championship qualifier. Germany came to Belfast with a strong team that included Dortmund's Marco Reus and Real Madrid's Toni Kroos.

Ball possession spoke its clear language

Northern Ireland managed to fight against in the first half and also had the hottest chance of a lead goal but the match was speechless at the break. Early in the second, the outside back Marcel Halstenberg, teammate with Emil Forsberg in Leipzig, was able to give the Germans the lead.

After a post from the right, Halstenberg stood correctly in the penalty area and got a lovely hit on the lace on the shoe and the ball rock hard up in the far nets. Germany also controlled the match and had a dominant advantage in ball possession with 75-25. In overtime, Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry could close the game with a goal from a narrow angle.

The victory means that Germany will step up in leadership in the group with Northern Ireland at the same point.

In other matches in Group C, the Netherlands could easily dismiss Estonia on away ground where they won by 4-0. The Netherlands shadow the top duo in third place, three points behind.