IT’S OVER TO Gelsenkirchen as Ireland take on the current world champions.
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the action. Email ben@thescore.ie, tweet @thescore_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
You may need to manually refresh for embedded content to display correctly.
Guten Abend! Never mind the budget, the city of Gelsenkirchen, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, is the scene for the day’s main event as Ireland take on the mighty Germans — ranked first in the world.
Aiden McGeady’s superb last-gasp strike got the Boys in Green off to a winning start in Tbilisi last month before the 7-0 whitewash against Gibraltar at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday to ensure maximum points from the first to games.
The Germans, meanwhile, appear to be suffering a bit of a World Cup hangover after their victory in Brazil over the summer. They were disappointing against Scotland despite winning and lost out to Poland for the first time over the weekend.
Add to that multiple injuries including household names Bastian Schweinsteiger, Marco Reus and Andre Schürrle and there is good reason to be quietly optimistic about coming away with something other than defeat.
The German team is in. Nothing to be scared of lads, eh…?
GERMANY: Neuer (c), Rüdiger, Hummels, Boateng, Durm; Ginter, Kroos, Bellarabi, Gotze, Draxler, Müller.
And here’s the Ireland XI. Robbie Keane wins out over Shane Long, while Glenn Whelan, Stephen Quinn and Jon Walters return.
IRELAND: Forde, Meyler, O’Shea, Wilson, Ward, McGeady, Whelan, Quinn, McClean, Keane, Walters.
The Ireland players warming up. We’re 40 minutes away from kick-off.
Eamon Dunphy is questioning the decision to leave Hoolahan out, calling it “bonkers”. The Norwich schemer has always impressed in a green shirt and is our most creative player but O’Neill has opted for a more physical option in Walters.
Ireland fans outside the stadium.
It’s a big night for Sheasy.
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
Martin O’Neill tells RTE’s Tony O’Donoghue that Walters will begin on the wing with McGeady handed a free role.
“We have a tough game ahead of us and we played pretty well the other evening,” he says. “I’ve gone with a bit of strength to begin with and we’ll see what happens.”
Okay, call it. What will tonight’s result be?
Poll Results:
German fans are thanking their team for the recent World Cup win with this cool mosaic.
We’re up-and-running. In these days of monochrom kits, Germany are wearing all white while Ireland are in all green.
Ireland have started nervously here. Setting up in a 4-2-3-1, they fail to clear after a couple of opportunities and allow Rüdiger to shoot from distance. Thankfully, it’s well off-target.
Minutes later, his fellow full-back Drum crashes a strike off Forde’s crossbar with the Irish keeper beaten.
Ireland win a free-kick just inside the German half and it’s taken short to McGeady, whose cross to the back post is cleared. The visitors really need to hold onto the ball better here.
Clever free-kick from Germany 35 yards out from goal. Kroos chips to Müller, who nods back across to Rüdiger but the full-back heads wide.
Draxler then breaks free down the left and cut back to Kroos for a low drive which doesn’t trouble Forde’s goal. Worrying signs.
Hummels comes through the back of Keane to concede the foul in a wide area. It’s McGeady with the delivery but it amounts to nothing.
Gotze clips a ball over the top into Draxler and it comes off the Schalke man’s head before running through to Forde.
Ireland are making no effort to keep the ball on the rare occasions that they get it back with Forde content to hoof it long every time.
Kroos has another pop at goal but it’s too high. 25 minutes gone.
Bellarabi goes down in the box and calls for a penalty but Meyler has done nothing wrong there.
Possession after a half hour – Germany 64% Ireland 36%.
Wilson’s passes is intercepted and Forde has to race out of his goal to clear the danger. His touch is a heavy one, however, and O’Shea eventually scrambles the ball away.
McClean brings down Kroos with a trailing leg and the Real Madrid man delivers. It reaches Ginter, who can’t keep his header down.
Meanwhile, Whelan has picked up a yellow card for catching the back of Kroos’ heel.
Quinn whips a free-kick to the back post where Wilson is yards away from connecting. Set pieces may be out best bet for a goal.
Half-time: Germany 0-0 Ireland
Draxler’s shot from an acute angle is blocked by Forde and the whistle goes for half-time.
Penny for your thoughts, Roy…
Half-time scores in the other Group D games:
- Poland 1-1 Scotland
- Gibraltar 0-2 Georgia
Real chance for Ireland! The Germans gift Keane possession and he waits for McGeady to go around the outside before sliding him in. The Everton man tries a shot but is crowded out by a couple of defender.
Germany go straight down the other end and Podolski forces Forde into a decent save. He has caught Whelan on the follow-through and the midfielder needs treatment.
Kroos picks out Bellarabi with a super pass and he steps inside to fire at Forde.
Martin O’Neill then makes his first substitution with the injured Whelan making way for Jeff Hendrick.
Forde saves again then McClean puts in a brilliant block.
Germany are upping the tempo and Müller knocks down for Podolski, who takes a touch and dives in the hope of winning a penalty. Wilson collides with the Arsenal attacker but replays show he was already on his way down and Ireland win the free-kick. Good call.
Keane is making way for Darron Gibson and Ireland will shuffle a couple of players — Walters goes up front, McGeady to the right and Gibson into the centre of the park.
Gotze goes to ground in the box after O’Shea gets a hold of him and brings the ball out of possession.
Wilson has earned himself a booking while Max Kruse has come on Draxler.
GOAL! Germany 1-0 Ireland (Toni Kroos 71′)
There’s the opener. Kroos picks up the ball 25 yards out from goal and, with Ireland backing off, blasts a strike in off the post.
Germany open Ireland up with a neat passage of play on the edge of their box and Forde again saves — this time from Gotze.
Ward has injured himself but, with no substitutes left, he must continue for the remaining ten minutes or so.
That was the chance. Ireland work the ball out to the left and McClean crosses for Hoolahan whose shot is somehow blocked by Durm.
Sebastian Rudy has been introduced for Bellarabi, meanwhile.
Four additional minutes to be played.
Ireland dispossess Kroos and break through Hoolahan. He delays the pass and is bullied off the ball. Needed to be sharper there.
GOAL! Germany 1-1 Ireland (John O’Shea 93′)
WOW. Just wow. Hoolahan crosses deep and Hendrick sticks the ball back across where O’Shea arrives perfectly to flick past Neuer. Ireland have surely nicked a point.
The vital equaliser. Incredible…
Germany 1
Ireland. 2
I was going to say the same
But you typed it instead, von?
Good luck Ireland, you can do it.
GO ON THE BOYS I BLUE.
I did Gravel i did
Or was it Mammy who typed it with one of her 19 fingers?
Haha
I wondered why i got a lot of thumbs not in my favour SORRY it should be GREEN i love Leinster rugby too
We didn’t get the win I prayed for but Thank You John O’Shea for knocking that in. I’m happy with the point … Tell ya it’s a bit late but I’d murder a pint
COYBIG FOR THE FINALS 2016
I love u John o shea
I can’t believe I walked away. I looked at the thread here and I was like, “You’re having a laugh!”
Rookie error Conor…ive learned to never do that
Never walk away at 1-0 lad!
The Germans are out for blood tonight after losing to Poland, we will fight the good fight no doubt but I fear they will be too much for us in the end. Fingers are crossed for a good result for us.
At the moment, they’re doing as expected, but seemingly, as Ray Houghton says on Sky Sports, run out of ideas. Maybe if Ireland can keep up what they’re doing, they can get a 0-0 draw.
Just hang in there eventho we are rubbish we could get a draw. Long to come on for Walters and stretch them please . We need to improve for scots game tho
Hope I’m wrong but it looks like it’s only a matter of time before we concede, the stats were highly against us in the first half, the second won’t be too far off, mcgeady has to get the finger out.
Watch All soccer live Hd Tv FREE >>>>>>> w.atch.me/gYlDiP
You absolute f*cking beauty! I can’t believe we scored!
O shea you beauty!!!
2002 All over again! What a way to celebrate your 100th cap! God bless you John O’Shea!
Get in there my son, my heart is pounding, well done o Shea.
We finished with the team that should have started! Woo hoo!!!
Mc Geady to score first 22/1 worth a look !!!!
Because we have been so good at the whole austerity thing Angela Merkel says we can have a draw tonight. Result!
So many times we had to put up with moral victories only… Finally we get a bit of luck, against georgia and now against the world champions at home… Luck, but well deserved luck, well done lads, super effort!
Brilliant.
To be fair – we had nothing but luck in traps first two campaigns….. Kazakstan away, war in Georgia, getting drawn against Estonia in play offs, Italy having man sent off (in the qualifiers) etc….
But I’ll take it every time!!
My mate in Germany has said that the German managment have written us off in their pre match press conference. Lets go out and stuff the feckers.
I couldn’t give a bollocks about the budget,this is the most important thing to happen today
COYBIG
Sky sports 5
Game is crying out for Wes….Robbie should not be playing.
GET IN THERE!!!!!!! O Shea you absolute beauty !!! Told ye we had a chance, 1 Point better than no points.
1-1 yes playing football
Come on lads… Down the left, One more cross, nick an equaliser!
Is this on any channel tonight ?
Rte 2
Thanks Glen :)
Get off that tinternet glen, get a bit of sun on your face…
Lar
Bit hard to do considering I wort in IT
Haha
Work …. Do you know what that is “it’s easy when you know how”
Ridiculous how negative the Rte panel are.. Easy to forget we’re playing the team that demolished Brazil 7-1 in the World Cup and that we’ve reduced them to limited opportunities. Granted we haven’t looked much of a force going forward but longer game goes on more frustrated Germany will become which will lead to more chances. McClean looks to have better of full back too. Not to mention we are missing our 2 most inform players in Coleman and McCarthy.
We’re not playing the team that demolished Brazil, half are missing. Also, we’re not playing. No change from Trappatoni era, depressing.
Ok, Trappatoni comment a bit harsh. At least substitutions were positive and changed the game. Team that finished should have started, with Robbie coming on for the last 20 to nick a goal. Hopefully management noticed the difference in performance towards the end.
SHUT IT YOU MUPPET!!!! If anyone else pulled out a last minute winner in Georgia ,beat a minow 7 nil and snatched a late draw away to the world champs ,you,d be falling all over them ,gushing with praise,Not one of our players is with a top club,3 IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP,GET REAL ALL YOU NEGATIVE LOSERS!!!COYBIG!!!
Only 2,000 Irish fans? Surely some Germans are singing along to the Fields
3,000
Should be 3 plus goals, both defences look well vulnerable.
I hope Scotland beat Poland and we’ all be grand. If we beat the Germans we will be rocking the table
Say it quietly. .but we are doing alright
Not sure what to make of the line up. Glad that he stuck with both wingers because they have the pace to get at Germanys defence but not sure about Walters inclusion or Keane for that matter. Hoolihan was by far the best player on the pitch on Saturday and doesnt start tonight.
Just saw the selection. I see we’ve decided to play to our weaknesses and gone with 2 defensive midfielders. Does Glenn Whelan have dirt on John Delaney that he must play?
By the way, COME ON IRELAND! First really big game of the MONaRK era. Looking forward to it.
Glen Whelan is not a professional footballer
I’ve been a West Ham fan for 47 years and am accustomed to volumes of pain, grief and false dawns – so i will believe in nothing till the fat lady blows her whistle! COYBIG
20 mins gone and it’s like watching West Ham…………….well until the last few games that is *sigh* It’s looking like its only a matter of when. FFS lads get out of there!!!!
40 mins gone. I’d hate to see the stats. Mind you 0:0 is the only stat that matters really.
As long as Robbie Keane is left on the bench we have a chance, 2 old 4 this kinda game.
Could not be further from the truth he has the experience needed to help the midfield and try to stymie the Germans attack
Stick to other sports son
Keane was a passenger, totally anonymous, can’t believe he started
Roy Keane’s recent book has really confirmed that we are good at picking idiots for management.
This guy is well balanced (chips on both shoulders), hates everyone – and will retain his many grudges to the grave.
How we brought this traitor back – is one of life’s mysteries.
Are you talking about yourself or Roy?
WE don’t pick the managers
As joe said we don’t pick the manager or assistant managers ,Martin oneill did
traitor? you are an idiot.
Pew – he walked out on his country and team during a World Cup final.
In my book – that’s treason. We’ll never make it to that level again.
And having him involved again is madness…..
He was told to leave by McCarthy. This has been done to death. How are you still clueless to the facts.
yea and truth be known we did very very well without him.We played some great football during that world cup.I remember it well and everybody was delighted with the way they played without him.People thought we relied on him well the team certainly proved people wrong.
The lads are gonna do the business.. I can taste it
Get in josh!!
I’ll never forget this match lads, we’re after watching history. It truly does evoke 2002. You can’t write this stuff. Martin O’Neill and Keane surely have proved their clout, at least for now.
COYBIG… give em hell boys
AAAAAHHHHH!!! Unbelievable!!
If wesley hoolahan doesn’t get his game in the nrxt match, ill take on Roy and martin meself
Come on lads let’s have a big result tonight
What do they do on the training ground. They can’t complete 5 yard passes.
Can somebody tell Forde that Mats Hummels isn’t Irish might help him stop hoofing it up to him time after time
Jesus please just play football ireland
That was magic. Get in Sheasy son.
About time Robbie came off, contributed nothing. Looks a lot better now…
It’s amazing what you remember but RTE played Wonderwall in their montage after the world cup game vs Germany back in 2002. To this day that song reminds me of that game. Think I’ll listen to it tonight….
Not gonna lie. I didnt expect that. Great result!!
Fiver on mcgeady to score . Come on lads
I can’t believe it. What a result. Was that the plan? Why can’t we play like that all the time. Three cheers for the lads. Well done.
How can a team that plays fussball be so good at football?
Great Irish team performance. Very Proud.
I can’t believe it. Was that the plan all along? Why can’t we play like that all the time? Three cheers for the lads. Well done, great result.
129 think Ireland will win- bloody fanboys.
It’s all over now. None of the Irish team look like they play football in England. Very edgey and lacking in confidence.
Ole ole ole ole ole ole…
Resistance is futile…..Germany by 3
2-0 to Germany.
Love to come away with a result tonight, but have Germany in my bet along with Poland, Serbia, and Portugal.
I did the same net but i left out Portugal and put in USA instead…….Portugal very unreliable these days
That one paid off well…
Well done Quinn, just as bad as Whelan. Constant back passes all night.
H