Northern Ireland were without Dan Ballard, Pierce Charles and Brodie Spencer in addition to further squad players for the pair of qualifiers that also saw them beat Luxembourg 3-1.
As what is an already inexperienced squad battled on without key individuals, O’Neill likened his selections to “asking boys at times to do a man’s job”.
Just two of Northern Ireland’s starting outfield players in Cologne were over the age of 26, while only one, defender Paddy McNair, had more than 31 caps.
For all but the San Diego FC defender, holding on for a draw would have represented the biggest result of their international careers.
In the recent past, when this Northern Ireland group have stepped up to play what O’Neill terms a footballing “heavyweight”, the results have been chastening.
After taking an early lead in a friendly against Spain in June 2024, they were blown away by the side who were then six weeks away from winning the European Championship.
Similarly, against Sweden in March, they were pulled from pillar to post by Alexander Isak. Both games finished 5-1.
This, therefore, was a wholly different game, one where Northern Ireland displayed the “resilience” O’Neill had called for before the game.
“You don’t usually come off the pitch against Germany having this feeling,” said McNair who likened the loss to the 2019 defeat by the Netherlands when the side conceded three goals in the final 10 minutes to lose 3-1.
“I feel like they were there for the taking to get something from the game.
“It’s just gutting. That was a good chance and we just let it slip a bit. When you look at the bigger picture, it’s definitely moving in the right direction.”
The immediate appreciation that this was a missed opportunity, one featuring two avoidable goals in a display when Germany’s attack was otherwise blunted for over an hour, felt a sign of progress too.
“We’ve come a long way as a group. A couple of years ago we’d have been, not happy, but not disappointed with that result,” said midfielder Shea Charles.
“The fact that we are disappointed and annoyed at losing that game I think is really good to see.
“Despite the level of players they have, I think we completely matched them.”
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