Northern Ireland Defeats Slovakia, Propels Germany to Top of World Cup Qualifying Group
Northern Ireland secured a 2-0 victory over Slovakia in World Cup qualifying, aided by an own goal from Patrik hrosovsky (18th minute) and a goal from Trai Hume (81st). The win marks Slovakia’s first defeat in the qualifying campaign and concurrently lifts Germany to the top of Group A.
Germany, which previously lost to Slovakia (0-2) in September and defeated Northern Ireland (3-1), now leads the group on goal difference following a 4-0 win against Luxembourg. Northern Ireland and Slovakia are tied for second place. The group winner will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Northern Ireland will face germany in a rematch on monday in Belfast. The team will be without key player Conor Bradley (FC Liverpool), who received his second yellow card of the qualifying campaign during Friday’s match (76th minute).
