Germany struggled for a second straight European Championship qualifier before Marcel Halstenberg's first international goal lifted them to a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland on Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Coming off a 4-2 loss to the Netherlands, Germany's recovery was unconvincing, helped by Northern Ireland wasting good chances.
More than a year on from their embarrassing group-stage elimination at the World Cup, Joachim Low's team are still struggling to get what should be routine wins.
Just as South Korea ran Germany into the ground at the World Cup, hard pressing from Northern Ireland nearly earned an upset win in Belfast.
The hosts had the better of the first half as Conor Washington had one good shot saved by Manuel Neuer, before being tripped over the ball in front of goal and missing the best chance of the game.
Germany emerged from the break refreshed and needed just three minutes before Halstenberg volleyed the ball into the net after Julian Brandt flicked on a cross.
Stuart Dallas then went close for Nothern Ireland, who continued to challenge until deep into stoppage time, when Serge Gnabry grabbed Germany's second goal on a counter.
"They pressed us hard in the first half, but at some point they got tired," Halstenberg said. Asked if Germany was getting back to the level of Europe's best, he was diplomatic. "It's hard to say."
Group I leaders Belgium kept their 100 per cent record by thrashing Scotland 4-0 while the Netherlands stayed in touch with the top two by thrashing Estonia 4-0.
Group E leaders and 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia faltered with a 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan but stayed at the head of Group E after Slovakia beat Hungary 2-1.
Group G leaders Poland were held to a 0-0 draw by third place Austria in Warsaw.
Third place Netherlands earned a comfortable victory in Estonia thanks to a double from Ryan Babel and Memphis Depay's strike on his 50th appearance.
Georginio Wijnaldum grabbed in the fourth goal, as he did in Netherlands win over Germany on Friday, with a late header.
Belgium romped to their sixth victory from six games in Scotland, with Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne laying on a hat-trick of assists and netting the fourth himself.
De Bruyne teed up Romelu Lukaku, Thomas Vermaelen and Toby Alderweireld inside 32 first half minutes.
In other matches, Russia beat Kazakhstan 1-0 (Mario Fernandes, 89th), Cyprus thrashed San Marino 4-0, Slovenia defeated Israel 3-2 while North Macedonia won 2-0 in Latvia.
Australian Associated Press
