Ireland came out on top with a true David v Goliath victory over Germany at the Aviva Stadium.
Shane Long’s 70th-minute goal was the difference between the two sides, helping Martin O’Neill’s team secure a qualifying win that’s as unlikely as they come.
When the countries met in Gelsenkirchen, Ireland required the heroics of John O’Shea to secure a memorable draw.
But this time around, an Irish team weakened with injuries and suspensions somehow found themselves up against it even more.
Germany's starting XI have three players who do not have World Cup medals. Ireland's has two with no league starts this season.
— Owen Cowzer (@OCowzer) October 8, 2015
That’s right, Shay Given and Stephen Ward are yet to start in the league for their respective clubs while Jonas Hector, Ilkay Gundogan and Marco Reus are without World Cup medals.
And that’s not even taking into account the fact that Gundogan and Reus only missed out on the tournament through injury.
