Gnabry stars as Germany thrash Northern Ireland

1. Smith put Northern Ireland ahead in Germany
2. Gnabry (3) & Goretska (2) & Brandt score for Germany
3. NI into March's play-offs
4. Win sends Germany through ahead of Netherlands as group winners
5. Commentary on 5 Live Sports Extra & Radio Ulster

Thanks and goodbye

That's all for today.

A wonderful goal by Michael Smith to give Northern Ireland the lead but the German class told with them winning it 6-1.

Thanks for joining us and bye for now.

Gnabry hat-trick helps Germany beat NI

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Germany recovered from Northern Ireland taking a shock early lead to win 6-1 in Frankfurt and finish top of Euro 2020 qualifying Group C.

Serge Gnabry scored a hat-trick, Leon Goretzka got two and Julian Brandt was on target after Michael Smith had opened the scoring with a super strike.

The match was a dead rubber with the hosts having already qualified for next summer's finals before kick-off. Third-placed NI also knew they were heading for the play-offs in March.

With Wales beating Hungary 2-0 to qualify for the finals, it means Michael O'Neill's men will be away to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their first play-off match.

Northern Ireland, who lost twice to Bosnia in the Nations League last, will face the Republic of Ireland or Slovakia in the play-off final. Manager O'Neill, who took over as Stoke City manager 10 days ago, has agreed to remain in charge of the international side for the play-off games.

'Crossing our fingers'

A class message of support from Germany to Northern Ireland.

'Memorable moments'

They're very much keeping it positive on the Northern Ireland Twitter account, despite a chastening second half.

In the play-offs

We know now the line up of the play-offs for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

• Slovakia v Republic of Ireland
• Bosnia-Herzegovina v Northern Ireland

These will be one-legged matches on 26 March with the two winners then meeting each other in the final on 31 March. So it could well be the Republic of Ireland versus Northern Ireland for a place at Euro 2020.

There will be a draw in Switzerland on Friday to decide which semi-final winner gets home advantage in the final.

Elsewhere in Group C, Netherlands won 5-0 at home to Estonia, but the Dutch will only end up second in the group, two points behind group winners Germany.

FULL-TIME

Northern Ireland scored first through a wonderful goal from Michael Smith, but that was very much as good as it got for Michael O'Neill's side.

Serge Gnabry scored a hat-trick, Leon Goretzka got two and Julian Brandt added a sixth in injury-time as Germany ran riot in the second half.

GOAL - Germany 6-1 Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland make a mess of their offside trap and are immediately on the back foot as Julian Brandt runs at them.

A nifty step over creates the space and he shoots left footed from the edge of the six-yard box into the top corner, giving Bailey Peacock-Farrell no chance.

The Netherlands are also winning by a four-goal margin, but they will have to settle for second in this group behind Germany. Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum has three goals, Bournemouth's Nathan Ake the other.

Wales are heading to the Euros, as they are 2-0 up against Hungary.

Some gentle mocking from the Germany Twitter account, adapting the words to the 'Will Grigg's on fire' classic that was Northern Irish fans' soundtrack at the 2016 Euros.

SUBSTITUTION

A decent evening's work for Serge Gnabry. A hat-trick in the bag and now he trots off to a fantastic reception to be replaced by Bayer Leverkusen's Nadiem Amiri for his third international appearance.

CLOSE!

Joshua Kimmich takes a lovely control on the chest and a touch with the outside of the boot to bring Ilkay Gundogan's lofted pass under control.

Substitute Suat Serder wants Kimmich to square it but the Bayern man instead goes for goal and just puts it wide.

SUBSTITUTION

Liam Boyce is on for Paddy McNair. The Burton man has one goal in his 20 Northern Ireland appearances.

It's been a long second half

John O'Neill

Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

His finish was incredible. Right into the corner. You're clock watching now and just wanting the game to end. It's been a long second half.

SUBSTITUTION

There will be no hat-trick for Leon Goretzka though as he is hooked, with only a third international appearance for 22-year-old Schalke midfielder Suat Serdar.

GOAL - Germany 5-1 Northern Ireland

Germany are in absolute cruise control and now have a four-goal advantage. Despite there being so many bodies between Leon Goretzka and the goal, the Bayern Munich man can shoot low and hard into the net from outside the penalty area.

Northern Ireland have been steamrollered in this second half. Gnabry three, Goretzka two, Germany five, Northern Ireland one.

Just like Ronaldo

CLOSE!

So close to number five. Once again there is a lack of pressure on the ball as Leon Goretzka is given so much time to take a touch, turn and shoot at goal from 25 yards. It only just goes past the post. Northern Ireland have not turned up in this second half.

Indeed it was. But Michael Smith's 25-yard stunner seems a long time ago now.

SUBSTITUTION

It is the end of the action for Corry Evans, who is replaced by Conor McLaughlin of Sunderland.