Germany claimed their third consecutive victory in the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Hannover on Tuesday evening.
First-half goals from Julian Draxler and Sami Khedira were enough to give Joachim Low's side maximum points.
Michael O'Neill's men remain in contention to qualify for the finals in Russia as they sit three points behind second placed Azerbaijan in Group C.
Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's updates below.
6.45pmEvening everyone! The World Cup qualifiers continue, and we have nine fixtures in the calendar tonight. England continue their campaign with a clash against Slovenia, while Scotland are also in action against Slovakia. Right here, we will be focusing on the match between Germany and Northern Ireland in Hannover.
6.50pmThe two nations are going head to head for the first time since meeting in the European Championships in June. On that occasion, Germany ran out 1-0 winners, which sealed their place at the top of Group C. Mario Gomez scored the only goal of the game, but there could have been plenty more following a dominant display from Joachim Low's side.
6.54pmWith regards to the current World Cup qualifying campaign, both are yet to be beaten. Germany won their opening two fixtures, while Northern Ireland drew a blank in their first mach and sealed victory in their second. The reigning world champions currently top the group with six points, while O'Neill's men are third, two points adrift of tonight's competitors.
6.55pmRight, before we go any further let's bring you the lineups for both sides...
6.57pmGERMANY XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Muller, Ozil, Draxler; Gotze
6.58pmNORTHERN IRELAND XI: McGovern; Hodson, Hughes, McAuley, J. Evans, Ferguson; Davis, Norwood, C. Evans; Ward, Magennis
7.02pmLet's begin with the Northern Ireland team, shall we? O'Neill has made three changes to the side that thumped San Marino 4-0. Lee Hodson and Aaron Hughes come into the defence, while Corry Evans enters the midfield. The three to miss out are Conor McLaughlin, Niall McGinn and Stuart Dallas. As for Germany, Joachim Low has named the same starting XI that featured against the Czech Republic. Mesut Ozil will earn his 83rd cap for his country this evening, which makes him the most-capped player in the current squad.
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7.08pmAs expected, Germany have started their qualifying campaign in strong fashion. They are the reigning champions after lifting the trophy in Brazil two years ago, and while a number of their players, including Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger, have retired from international duty, they still have a wealth of experience in the squad.
7.12pmThey have shown in the early stages of the qualifying stage that they mean business having beaten Norway and the Czech Republic. In their opening match, Thomas Muller scored twice while Joshua Kimmich added to the scoreline. In the next game against the Czechs, Muller had his shooting boots on again as he netted two goals and Toni Kroos also found the back of the net.
7.19pmA slight downside for the Germans is that they do not have a recognised striker in their current squad. Muller and Mario Gotze are regularly used up front and it has not proven to be a big issue so far given that Muller has netted four goals in the last two qualifiers.
7.22pmAt the other end of the pitch, Germany have also fared well having not yet conceded a goal in the qualifying campaign. That statement also applies to Northern Ireland, who have kept a clean sheet after two matches.
7.26pmDID YOU KNOW? Germany have suffered defeat just twice in their last 86 World Cup qualifiers. Die Mannschaft are expected to be strong favourites for the crown in Russia despite still having to play eight games before sealing a spot in the finals.
7.30pmLow is confident that his team will qualify comfortably for the tournament. Earlier this week he told reporters: "In a nutshell, no, we're not looking for accommodation already for the 2018 World Cup but with six points and Azerbaijan and San Marino to come, we're self-confident enough to be fairly certain that yes, we'll be there in two years' time.
"I would like to finish this qualifying competition with full concentration. We want to win games, be consistent and develop further ahead of the 2018 World Cup, which we didn't do before the 2014 World Cup. The Confederations Cup will be around next year, I will fly over to Russia and maybe do some initial checks but that's about it in terms of the World Cup."
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7.32pmTonight could go down as a personal achievement for Low as he will record his 94th win in charge of Germany, which would put him equal to Sepp Herberger's record. Not too shabby!
7.34pmWe cannot ignore the fact that by Germany's standards, they disappointed at the European Championships. Low's men reached the semi-finals of the tournament, but they failed to progress into the showpiece in Paris following a 2-0 defeat to hosts France. Antoine Griezmann was the man to cause trouble as he scored twice - once from the penalty spot.
7.35pmSo, what about Northern Ireland? Well, their performances at Euro 2016 gave fans some optimism heading into the World Cup qualifying campaign. In France, O'Neill's side did not get the results that they desired, but they did not wilt against bigger opposition. They were beaten by Poland, Germany and Wales, but conceded just once in each fixture. They have themselves hope with a 2-0 win over Ukraine, but it was not to be as they fell at the last-16 stage.
7.36pmNow attention turns to the 2018 World Cup, and O'Neill's team have started positively. They went to Prague and recorded a goalless draw with the Czech Republic. In their second qualifier, Northern Ireland blitzed San Marino 4-0. Steven Davis opened the scoring with a 26th-minute penalty, while Kyle Lafferty scored twice and Jamie Ward also got on the scoresheet against a team that went down to 10 men when Mirko Palazzi got sent off in the 50th minute.
7.38pmSTATS! Lafferty will be one to watch tonight as he has scored nine goals in his last 11 qualifiers. At the other end of the pitch, the nation have conceded just three goals in their last nine internationals. In addition, Northern Ireland have not been beaten in a qualifier since November 2014.
7.40pmAhead of tonight's game, O'Neill told reporters: "I think you can win any game. If I look back at how Germany lost in the semi-finals in Paris, it was a game that on the balance of play they shouldn't have lost. It is feasible to win any game. We need a lot of things to go in our favour. We will only win the game by being difficult to beat. If from that approach we can manage to win the game that's how we'll do it.
"We won't come here like the Czech Republic and play 4-4-2 and let's have a great go and the game's over in 25 minutes. We will have to be very rigid in how we play. From being a team that's extremely difficult to beat, then we have to maximise what possession we have, how we utilise that.
"When we look back at the game in France we had two or three chances to do better with the ball when it was 0-0 and we didn't do that. We have to make sure if those opportunities come around we maximise those."
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7.41pmHEAD TO HEAD: In the 15 meetings between the two nations, Germany have won nine of them, while two ended in draws and four have been won by Northern Ireland. The last time that the Irish side tasted victory over the Germans was in November 1983. In their last 13 games, Northern Ireland have managed to find the back of the net just eight times.
7.43pmPREDICTION: So, how do you see this one turning out? On paper, Germany should win this match comfortably, and to be honest, they are likely to do so! They have started their qualifying campaign strongly and even though Northern Ireland have also had positive results of late, it will be a big ask for them to get a result in Hannover. Let's go for a 2-0 win for Germany tonight.
7.45pmBoth teams are making their way out of the tunnel. We're moments away from kickoff!
1 minKICKOFF! Germany get us underway in Hannover! Paolo Tagliavento is the referee for this one.
2 minAs you may have expected, Germany have seen most of the ball in these early stages. Northern Ireland are likely to keep themselves in their own half.
3 minCHANCE! Just as I day that, the visitors create an early goalscoring opportunity! Magennis picks up the long ball before driving into the penalty box. Neuer comes off his line to clear, but he gives the ball straight to Ward, whose 40-yard shot misses the target.
4 minSAVE! At the other end of the pitch, McGovern pushes away a header from Gotze, who nods from eight yards out.
8 minGermany are dominating the game after suffering a slight wobble in the third minute. O'Neill's side are packing themselves into their own half in a bit to thwart Germany's efforts.
9 minNorthern Ireland get some time on the ball and the move ends with Evans, who unleashes a shot from distance, but the ball flies high over the crossbar.
11 minCHANCE! Germany get a free kick after Ferguson fouls Kimmich. The ball finds Khedira at the back post, but the midfielder miss-kicks his volley. Draxler tries his luck from inside the box but the ball soars over the bar.
13 minThe visitors block Kroos's shot before counter attacking. Magennis goes one on one with Hummels, but the defender wins the battle.
13 minGOAL! GERMANY 1-0 NORTHERN IRELAND (DRAXLER)
13 minPerfect start for Germany as Draxler puts them ahead on home soil. The midfielder finds space on the edge of the area before curling the ball into the bottom corner. McGovern almost reached it, but he failed to get enough on the ball to make the save.
17 minGOAL! GERMANY 2-0 NORTHERN IRELAND (KHEDIRA)
17 minGermany score twice in four minutes! This one comes from a corner kick. The ball swings into the box to find Hummels, who nods towards goal, but Khedira gets the final touch to send the ball into the back of the net.
21 minNorthern Ireland have struggled to get a foothold in this game so far. They manage to get in an attacking position from a corner kick, but it comes to nothing as Khedira heads clear from the near post.
24 minKroos goes down following a late tackle by Corry Evans. The Irishman gets away without being punished by the referee. He may not get many more let-offs.
26 minCHANCE! A decent opportunity for Ward as he gets on the end of Jonny Evans' pass over the top. Ward connects, but his shot from inside the box takes a slight deflection and misses the target.
33 minGermany have been dominant on the ball, but they have not threatened too much since the second goal. After a quiet spell, McGovern has some work to do as a cross comes towards his back post, but the keeper punches clear.
36 minUnfortunately there is not much to report at this stage as Germany knock the ball around in Northern Ireland's half. Credit to the visitors, though, as they are making it difficult for the world champions to break them down.
37 minKroos goes for glory with a long-range shot, which deflects off Hughes and behind for a corner. Draxler gets on the end of the set piece, but his scuffs a volley.
38 minMuller gets the ball in the penalty area and smashes a shot first time, but Northern Ireland's defence bravely block.
39 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Gotze scores Germany's third but it won't count. Muller cuts the ball back to his teammate in the box, but the flag is up when Gotze sends it into the net.
40 minSHOT! Magennis tries to make things happen for Northern Ireland at the other end as he gets round Hummels and into the box before unleashing a shot from a tight angle, but it hits Neuer.
42 minNorthern Ireland have a great opportunity here! They are awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area after Boateng brought down Corry Evans. The Irishman was just inches away from claiming a penalty.
43 minNorwood takes the set piece and aims towards goal, but he misses the target and the ball sails over the crossbar. A wasted opportunity.
45 minHALF-TIME: GERMANY 2-0 NORTHERN IRELAND
8.34pmGermany head into the half-time interval with a commanding 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Julian Draxler and Sami Khedira. Northern Ireland's opportunities have been few and far between as they spent the majority of the first 45 minutes in their own half. Despite conceding twice, Michael O'Neill's side were difficult to break down and have the potential to cause problems at the other end if get in decent attacking positions. We'll return for the second half shortly!
46 minRESTART! Northern Ireland get the second half underway! Can they get back in it or will Germany extend their lead?
46 minGERMANY SUB: The hosts have made one change at the break, with Ozil making way for Gundogan.
47 minA decent start to the second half from Northern Ireland as Ward wins a corner after running at Boateng. The ball is swung in looking for Evans at the back post, but Boateng clears.
48 minCHANCE! Germany begin to find their stride as they hunt for a third goal. Kimmich gets past Ward before cutting the ball back to Gundogan in the box. The Manchester City man strikes on the volley, but his effort gets blocked.
51 minKhedira tries to find his second goal of the match as he volleys from inside the box, but it's sent straight to McGovern.
54 minHector delivers a cross into the danger area, which is knocked behind for a corner. It comes to nothing for the hosts, though.
55 minCHANCE! So close for Germany! Boateng chips the ball over the top for Gotze, who heads into the six-yard box. Muller tries to chase it for a tap in, but Hodson makes a crucial clearance.
57 minGermany's waves of attack continue as Khedira thumps from distance, but it fails to trouble McGovern as the ball drops wide.
58 minPENALTY DENIED! Kimmich goes to ground after a tussle with Ferguson, but the referee refuses to give a spot kick. It looks as though he made the right decision.
60 minNORTHERN IRELAND SUB: The visitors make their first change of the game as Ward makes way for McGinn.
63 minO'Neill's side are doing well to stifle Germany through the middle, but Hector and Kimmich are getting plenty of joy down the flanks.
66 minBoateng goes for glory by cutting inside on his left foot and then thumping an effort from distance, but he misses the target.
68 minMISS! What a sitter for Khedira! The midfielder should have scored Germany's third with a free header from six yards out, but the ball goes over the bar.
69 minGERMANY SUB: Low makes a change as Mustafi comes on to replace Boateng.
71 minKhedira makes a marauding run before exchanging passes with Draxler, who tries to latch onto the through ball but Northern Ireland clear.
73 minNORTHERN IRELAND SUB: It's the end of Norwood's night as McNair comes on to replace him.
74 minBOOKING! Ferguson is the first player to receive a yellow card after lunging late on Kimmich on the right touchline.
76 minNORTHERN IRELAND SUB: Magennis can be pleased with his contribution this evening as he leaves the pitch to make way for Lafferty.
81 minSAVE! Gotze shows quick feet by driving from the left side and cutting across before firing a shot at the near post, but McGovern tips it over the bar. The resulting corner is initially cleared, but ends up back in the box with Mustafi, who volleys wide.
83 minThey might be staring defeat in the face, but Northern Ireland's fans are singing 'Will Grigg's on fire' - I'm sure you all are well aware of that chant!
87 minKhedira shoots from distance again after a surging run through the middle, but he misses the target again.
90 minWe have three minutes of added time. It looks as though Germany will leave with maximum points, but Northern Ireland can be pleased with their work ethic.
90+3 minFULL-TIME: GERMANY 2-0 NORTHERN IRELAND
9.40pmGermany claim their third successive victory in the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Hannover. First-half goals from Julian Draxler and Sami Khedira did the job for the reigning world champions, but it was a hard-working display from Michael O'Neill's side, who sit three points behind second-placed Azerbaijan in Group C. Thanks for joining us and until next time, goodbye!
