Republic of Ireland stun Germany, set up showdown with Poland

The Republic of Ireland beat Germany 1-0 with a goal from Shane Long to keep their Euro 2016 qualification hopes alive.

Germany dominated possession from the off, and had around 80% of the ball in the first half. However, they could not find a way past the Irish defence, and did not trouble Shay Given. Mesut Ozil had a goal disallowed for offside and wasted a chance with the 'keeper static, about to go off injured with a knee injury.

It was Ireland who actually went closest when Jon Walters' shot was deflected just wide of goal, into the side netting, but the home side had barely a sniff of the ball.

In the second half, Andre Schurrle, on for the injured Mario Gomez, missed an early chance when he sent an awkward volley over the bar from close range. Germany continued to probe, without great success, and Ireland managed to keep them at bay.

Then, with 20 minutes to go, Darren Randolph sent a long clearance down the pitch for Long to chase, and the striker beat Germany's defence for pace and scored with a finish into the top corner past Manuel Neuer.

Germany almost equalised when Thomas Muller shot, unmarked, from 12 yards, but he somehow managed to send his effort wide.

Ireland held on for a famous victory, and will qualify directly for Euro 2016 if they beat Poland away or draw by a score of 2-2 or higher in their final match. Otherwise, they will go into the play-offs.

13' - GUNDOGAN SHOT - Gotze drives towards goal from the left, and finds nobody bothering to tackle him. He pulls the ball back to Gundogan, and he fires over the bar.

19' - DISALLOWED GOAL - Disallowed goal! Ozil makes a run into the middle of the box, the ball is played to him at an angle so he can slice it into the far corner coolly, but the linesman correctly flags or offside.

34' - WALTERS SHOT - Ginter slides in on Ward to concede a throw high up the pitch. Ireland play a one-two into the box, and Walters' shot is deflected just wide of the post.

40' - OZIL MISS - A neat, swift move gives Ozil the chance to shoot from inside the box, but he fires just wide of the post.

55' - SCHURRLE MISS - Brady hoofs a free kick to the back post, Neuer picks it out of the air. He launches the ball down the left for Reus who cuts back onto his right and picks out Schurrle, and he sends a great chance - but a tough volley - over the bar.

70' - GOAL! Ireland 1-0 Germany. Long scores - Randolph sends a ball down the pitch, over the top of two defenders. Long arcs his run to pick the ball up and drive down the inside right channel. He takes the ball into the box, and fires a great finish towards the top corner.

78' - MULLER MISS - What a ridiculous miss. Muller is 12 yards out. There's nobody marking him. Everyone waits for him to score, and he flashes his shot wide!

Ireland can go through with a victory against Poland, if Germany fail to win their next match.

Ireland are undefeated against Germany in both their matches, drawing and winning one.

Can Ireland build on this victory? To beat Germany at home with such discipline and ruthlessness hints that they should have the beating of Poland. But that away trip is different, with various permutations and expectations. They will have to way up whether Robbie Keane, Shane Long or Daryl Murphy will lead the attack as they wait to see whether they can do enough.

Shane Long (Ireland): Each Irish player deserves immense credit for their focus, but Shane Long's ability to keep his nerves, and to do so after coming on as a substitute, was the difference between the sides. Had Germany had a player capable of taking chances, victory would have been theirs.

Ireland: Given 6, Christie 6, O'Shea 6, Keogh 6, Ward 6, McCarthy 7, Hendry 7, Hoolahan 6, Brady 7, Walters 6, Murphy 6. Subs: Randolph 7, Long 7, Meyler 6.

Germany: Neuer 5, Ginter 5, Boateng 5, Hummels 5, Hector 4, Ozil 4, Kroos 5, Gundogan 5, Reus 5, Gotze 5, Muller 5. Subs: Schurrle 5, Bellarabi 6, Volland 6.