"Tomas Bobcek's stoppage-time goal ended Northern Ireland's hopes of making it out of World Cup qualifying Group A but they came away from a 1-0 defeat by Slovakia assured of a playoff place regardless. Debutant Bobcek had been on the pitch for onlyseven minutes when he fired in from Laszlo Benes' corner in the first of eight minutes added on, and the goal stood despite Northern Ireland appeals for a foul after Dan Ballard had gone down in the buildup."
"Slovakia had already seen second-half strikes from Lukas Haraslin and David Strelec chalked off but this time it stood to spark wild celebrations as the home bench emptied. Northern Ireland's loss was compounded by a second yellow card for Ballard in the dying moments, but Croatia's 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands means they will be in the playoffs in March having won their Nations League group."
"Slovakia now go to Leipzig on Monday with a chance to top the group if they can beat Germany, who stayed above them in first place in Group A on goal difference thanks to a 2-0 win over Luxembourg. The Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade scored both goals. Woltemade put the visitors in front in the 49th minute and the Germans were surprisingly on the back foot for much of the first half. He added another in the 69th minute."
Tomas Bobcek scored a stoppage-time winner as Slovakia beat Northern Ireland 1-0, with Bobcek entering as a debutant and scoring from a Laszlo Benes corner. Northern Ireland appealed for a foul in the buildup after Dan Ballard went down, and Ballard received a second yellow card late on. Croatia completed a 3-1 comeback over the Faroe Islands to secure automatic qualification by winning their Nations League group. Germany beat Luxembourg 2-0 with Nick Woltemade scoring twice, leaving Germany above Slovakia on goal difference and Slovakia needing a win to top Group A.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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