Goalkeeper Darren Randolph set up Shane Long in the 70th minute to score an historical goal that saw the Republic of Ireland clinch their first win against higher ranked opposition since 2001.
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Southampton’s Shane Long and Hull City’s David Meyler have celebrated the Republic of Ireland’s win over Germany on social media site Twitter.
“It was an unexpected and completely unnecessary defeat”, said Germany coach Joachim Loew.
“He’s won a World Cup, he’s entitled to his opinion, and we were brilliant”, Irish counterpart Martin O’Neill said.
A win or 2-2 draw in Poland in their final fixture in Warsaw on Sunday, October 11, will send Republic of Ireland to the finals in France next summer. Both sides’ qualification hopes were already over.
Germany dominated for much of the game but a combination of poor finishing and heroic defending allowed the home side to see out time and they have secured at least a play-off place.
The clocked ticked agonisingly through four minutes of stoppage time before referee Carlos Carballo’s whistle sparked mass celebration on and off the pitch.
Richard Keogh cut out Matthias Ginter’s cross for the waiting Mario Goetze, who later went off with a groin injury that rules him out against Georgia.
Mesut Ozil gave the Irish supporters a big fright when he found the back of the net, but the Arsenal midfielder was stood in an offside position and the home faithful were relieved.
Germany emerged from the break with Ozil drifting out wide to the left where he had very little impact, with the visitors managing just three shots on target despite having nearly 72% possession.
It could hardly have been a more memorable night for Randolph, whose senior worldwide career prior to his introduction after Given twisted his right knee had amounted to 45 minutes as a substitute in a friendly against Oman in September 2012 and 16 more against Spain at New York’s Yankee Stadium in June the following year.
“When you get such a chance you have to take it. It’s bitter for me and worse for the team”, Mueller said.
Then Randolph hit a long clearance to fellow sub, Long, whose first touch was magnificent and his finish from 12 yards fired past Manuel Neuer was superb. “I didn’t hear anybody cheer when it went past, so I knew I was safe”.
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Ciaran Fahey contributed from Berlin, Shawn Pogatchnik from Dublin.
