Florian Wirtz answers critics with stunning free

Florian Wirtz scored a brilliant free-kick for Germany as they beat Conor Bradley‘s Northern Ireland 3-1 in World Cup qualifying.

The pressure was on Germany ahead of their second game this week, having lost 2-0 against Slovakia on Thursday.

Wirtz, in particular, had received some criticism from parts of the German press, but he answered them in style with a fantastic free-kick to earn his side’s first points of World Cup qualification.

With Bradley lining up as a right-wing back for Northern Ireland, the visitors to Cologne went behind just seven minutes in, as Serge Gnabry finished with panache.

Michael O’Neil’s team carried their own threat, too, and equalised half an hour later thanks to West Brom forward Isaac Price’s powerful finish.

It wasn’t to be for Northern Ireland, though, as they conceded twice in the second half, first through Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri, then Wirtz.

The Liverpool No. 7 had his moment after 72 minutes when, 25 yards from goal, he beautifully bent the ball over the wall and beyond diving goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell into the ‘keeper’s top right corner.

As he ran to celebrate, the 22-year-old held a finger to his ear in a reference to the flak he had received from some in Germany.

It wasn’t just the goal that made Wirtz stand out on the night; his performance also warranted praise as he created more chances (3) than anyone else and made the most recoveries (8) of anyone outfield player on the pitch.

Wirtz and Bradley both played the full match but now have a six days to recover before Liverpool’s match against Burnley on Sunday.

The result leaves Germany and Northern Ireland on three points each, with Slovakia leading Group A having taken six points from six. Luxembourg sit bottom with a negative three goal difference.

Alexander Isak will “hopefully” play on Monday night

Alexander Isak hasn’t played a competitive game of football since May 25, but he could be in line to make a return as Sweden face Kosovo away from home on Monday evening, a match they are expected to win comfortably.

With only three sessions under his belt before Friday night’s 2-2 draw against Slovenia, Isak sat on the bench for the game.

“He had only done three training sessions with the team,” Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson told Viaplay, via Fotbollskanalen.

“No pre-season with the team and of course no playing time. The risk is probably a bit too great to use him.”

He reiterated his decision to various reporters on the night, explaining that, “We would have loved to put him in the team straight away.

“But after only three training sessions, no normal pre-season and no matches for three months, it’s too big a risk.”

Tomasson, though, hopes the striker can play a part in the match against Kosovo, saying: “Hopefully, hopefully. As a ‘game-changer’.”

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