Regardless of the loss, and his frustration, O’Neill nonetheless had time for a joke with a member of the German media.

“Having appeared on the stats, sarcastically Germany performed extra lengthy balls than us within the sport,” he mentioned.

For his half, Julian Nagelsmann, whose feedback after the reverse fixture in Cologne prompted O’Neill’s quip, was relieved to get by a “powerful” sport.

“The second half was all about defending,” Nagelsmann advised BBC Sport.

“As I mentioned earlier than the sport it was a very powerful opponent, quite a lot of lengthy balls they usually combat and we needed to combat as nicely.

“It was step in the appropriate path to beat a group like Northern Eire and to combat for second balls and be as powerful because the opponent.”

Prime spot in Group A is now an extended shot given Germany have put their grasp on computerized qualification.

However second place and a assured play-off continues to be on the playing cards forward of November’s two qualifiers in Slovakia and residential to backside aspect Luxembourg.

It is probably not a lot comfort now, however a play-off as considered one of 4 Nations League group winners appears to be a safer fall again given different outcomes throughout Europe, if Northern Eire had been to overlook out on the highest two.

So, after battling however falling quick in opposition to considered one of Europe’s giants, this younger Northern Eire aspect could also be down, however they’re undoubtedly not out.