Michael McGoven produced the performance of his career to keep alive Northern Ireland's chances of making the second round of Euro 2016.
Germany’s Mario Gomez scored the only goal of the game at the Parc des Princes, but the scoreline would have been far higher but for McGovern and some wasteful finishing from both Gomez and Thomas Muller.
The Hamilton Academicals keeper pulled off several world class saves as Michael O'Neill's side somehow kept the deficit at just one.
They finish the group on three points and a goal neutral goal difference of 0, which means they now stand a very good chance of making the least 16 as one of the four best third place teams.
Northern Ireland needed McGovern to be at his very best, as they struggled to deal with the pace and passing of the world champions, especially in the first half.
Despite putting ten men behind the ball, they could not cope with the movement of a German side that was too quick and too skillful.
They also had the bit between their teeth as they needed to win to ensure they stayed ahead of Poland at the top of the group.
Golfer Rory McIlroy (above), wearing a George Best tee-shirt was among those here to witness Northern Ireland’s attempt to make the knockout stages.
Not surprisingly, O’Neill kept faith with the same side that beat Ukraine 2-0 in Lyon last week.
Conor Washington was once again deployed in the lone role up front, with five men stretched across the midfield in front of a back four with almost 250 caps between them.
Gomez was one of two changes from the German side that drew 0-0 with Poland last week. He replaced Julian Draxler in a misfiring attack, while Joshua Kimmich won his second cap at right-back ahead of Benedikt Howedes.
Northern Ireland may have been sitting deep but the rapid movement of Mario Gotze, Mesut Ozil and Muller had them chasing shadows. All three had chances inside the first 15 minutes.
First, Ozil flicked the ball through a gaping hole in the Northern Ireland defence for Muller to run on to but McGovern was off his line quickly to block the shot.
Moments later, Jerome Boateng found Ozil with a delightful 40-yard pass over Gareth McAuley. Ozil controlled well, stepped inside and was poised to strike only to scuff the shot along the ground.
McGovern then blocked a Gotze effort with his feet as Germany relentlessly followed through on their pre-match promise to attack from the first minute.
Muller was seeking his first goal at a European Championship and was to hit the woodwork twice in the first half. Kimmich was raiding forward at will and he picked out Gotze on the edge of the box. The ball was chested in the path of Muller but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.
He was at it again soon afterwards as he dived to meet Kimmich’s low cross. He was left frustrated as his header rebounded off the base of the post.
It was not all one-way traffic. Washington had a chance on the counter-attack to square it to captain Steven Davis in the box but he dithered and the chance was gone. Jamie Ward then tested Manuel Neuer with a low shot from 30 yards after dispossessing Gotze on the halfway line.
But Germany’s precise passing and sharp runs were causing all sorts of problems for the Northern Ireland backline and midfield five, with Ozil completing 97% of his 37 passes in the opening half.
Muller was involved when the goal eventually came on the half hour. He took another Ozil pass in his stride, held off Craig Cathcart, Aaron Hughes and McGovern to tee up Gomez, whose shot took a nick off McAuley on the way in.
There was still time for both Muller and Gomez to miss further chances before the break. First, Muller cracked a shot off the bar, then Gomez hit a weak shot at McGovern after Ozil had created the opportunity.
McGovern was in action again soon after the restart and produced the best save of the night as he spread himself to keep out Gotze’s close-range effort. The Bayern Munich man missed another chance at the front post before being replaced by Andre Schurrle.
O’Neill introduced Kyle Lafferty and Josh Magennis for Washington (above) and Jamie Ward, who had run themselves ragged.
The German pressure eased as half wore on but McGovern could not rest easy as he dived across to his left to get his fingertips to a powerful downward header from Gomez.
The fans revel in singing about striker Will Grigg, but it is McGovern (above) who has kept the party going.
His man-of-the-match performance did not just keep them in the game, it’s probably kept them in the tournament.
Northern Ireland: McGovern; Hughes, McAuley, Cathcart, J Evans; C Evans (McGinn 84), McNair, Davis, Dallas, Ward (Magennis 70), Washington (Lafferty 59).
Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng (Howedes 76), Hummels, Hector; Kroos, Khedira (Schwenisteiger 69); Ozil, Muller, Gotze (Schurrle 55); Gomez. Howedes
Referee: Clement Turpin (France)
