France, June 21: Mario Gomez's goal wrapped up top spot for Germany in Group C as a 1-0 win at the Parc des Princes left Northern Ireland waiting to find out their own fate at Euro 2016.
Having failed to impress in a bore draw against Poland last time out, Joachim Low's side again struggled to hit top gear despite dominating against one of the tournament's biggest underdogs in Paris.
Michael O'Neill's plan to stifle the world champions always looked likely to fail, with goalkeeper Michael McGovern – who was impressive throughout – called into action several times before his defences were breached.
Gomez marked his first start in France with a close-range 29th-minute finish, while Thomas Muller hit the post and crossbar among a host of other Germany chances before the interval.
Though Northern Ireland now needed a goal to claim the point they clearly came for, it proved close to impossible for them to relieve the constant pressure.
Germany could not add to their advantage in a second half that was as one-sided as the first, but Northern Ireland will now await other results to see if their three-point return is enough to qualify as one of the four best third-placed finishers.O'Neill's men – unchanged from the historic 2-0 win over Ukraine – tried to present a compact and united front from the outset, positioning a wall of green between Germany and McGovern's goal.
It was a barrier the Germans found all too easy to overcome, though, and McGovern had to be alert to deny Muller and Mesut Ozil in quick succession early on.
The post came to Northern Ireland's rescue in the 27th minute when Muller's diving header threatened to break the deadlock. But the pressure finally told just before the half-hour mark, Muller drawing McGovern's attention before laying it back for Gomez to find the net via a deflection.
Muller hit the woodwork again five minutes later as Germany looked to inflict further damage before the break.
The pattern continued in the second half, McGovern saving from Mario Gotze before the World Cup final goalscorer slid wide from inside the six-yard box.
O'Neill's side were not entirely restricted to defensive duties, though a rare foray forward led by Steven Davis came to an end on the edge of the opposition penalty area and without Manuel Neuer being troubled.
