BELFAST; Nick Woltemade’s first international goal was enough to earn 1-0 win against Northern Ireland in Belfast which keeps Germany top of World Cup European qualifying group A.

The Germans, who began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat in Slovakia, their first away loss in a World Cup qualifier, had arrived in Belfast with a spring in their step after two successive wins but were made to battle for the three points.

Northern Ireland full of confidence after wins either side of a 3-1 loss in Germany last month. A ball which went in off Woltemade’s shoulder in the 31st minute proved the only difference between the hosts and the four-time world champions.

In Group D France lost their perfect record when they were held to a 2-2 draw away to Iceland.

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal for Les Bleus to put them 2-1 ahead on his second cap after Christopher Nkunku had equalised for the visitors following Victor Palsson’s opener but Kristian Hlynsson salvaged a point for Iceland.

France remain top with 10 points from four games, three ahead of Ukraine, who beat Azerbaijan 2-1 on Monday.

Les Bleus face Ukraine in Paris on November 13 in what could prove a decisive fixture in the race to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

Group J action saw Belgium concede an early goal but then beat Wales 4-2 in Cardiff to move closer to a place at next year’s finals.

Joe Rodon put the hosts ahead in the eighth minute but a Kevin De Bruyne penalty brought Belgium level within 10 minutes before veteran fullback Thomas Meunier put them ahead for a 2-1 halftime advantage.

De Bruyne converted a second spotkick in the 76th minute to extend the lead, but Wales looked to be back in the contest as Nathan Broadhead came off the bench to score with two minutes remaining.

However, only 60 seconds later an unmarked Leandro Trossard restored the two-goal advantage in the last minute to take Belgium top of Group J on 14 points, one ahead of North Macedonia who were held 1-1 at home by Kazakhstan.

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