The Republic of Ireland secured a potentially crucial point in Group D on Tuesday night by clinching a 1-1 draw with Germany in Gelsenkirchen.
It was the world champions who dominated for long spells of the game, and they eventually broke the deadlock when Toni Kroos picked out the bottom corner from 25 yards in the 71st minute.
However, there would be a late twist in the final minute of stoppage time as John O'Shea volleyed home from close range to snatch a draw for the visitors.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.
Good evening everyone. A busy Euro 2016 qualifying schedule continues tonight as the Republic of Ireland take on world champions Germany in Group D. Each side went through very different experiences on the weekend, so will there be another surprise result this evening?
Surprisingly, Germany are currently lying in fourth in the group after a humbling 2-0 loss to Poland on Saturday. Poland are now minnows, but that defeat hurt Joachim Low, the players and their supporters. It would be a safe bet to expect a reaction tonight.
Martin O'Neill's side barely needed to move out of second gear on Saturday as they strolled to a 7-0 triumph over Gibraltar. Ireland will know that win means little other than the three points it delivered. Tonight, they are huge underdogs. Can they produce a shock this evening?
GERMANY: Neuer, Rudiger, Hummels, Boateng, Durm, Ginter, Kroos, Bellarabi, Gotze, Draxler, Muller
Low has made two changes for their third qualifying game. Christoph Kramer has dropped out of the starting lineup with a stomach virus to make way for Matthias Ginter, while Andre Schurrle, who was forced to leave the squad due to a cold, is replaced by Julian Draxler.
The team selection from Low means that Thomas Muller will continue to be deployed as the lone striker, but the presence of Draxler and Mario Gotze could see them rotate regularly. Karim Bellarabi is trusted to deliver the goods after making his debut on the weekend.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Forde, Meyler, O'Shea, Wilson, Ward, McGeady, Whelan, Quinn, McClean, Keane, Walters
After winning 7-0, you don't usually see a manager change much, but O'Neill is fully aware just how difficult tonight could be for his team. As a result, he has handed recalls to Glenn Whelan, Stephen Quinn and Jonathan Walters as Jeff Hendrick, Darron Gibson and Wes Hoolahan are pulled out of the starting lineup.
It shouldn't come as much of a surprise to see Walters return to the team for the visitors. Hoolahan's absence means that they could lack a creative edge, but the energy of Walters should be a big help in both defensive and attacking areas of the pitch.
Despite the changes and the belief that Ireland head into the game as big underdogs, the visitors have made it clear that they don't plan to sit back and invite pressure from Germany.
In the pre-game press conference, O'Neill told reporters: "We are going with some confidence into the game. If we are pressed back, then okay, but if we deliberately sit in, then Germany will eventually pick you off.
"We want to try to attack as well. It's a game to relish. It's one where we want to go out and do something about the game, not just let the game disappear."
Ireland are currently second in the group with six points from their opening two games, and are only behind leaders Poland on goal difference. Germany, who start the evening in fourth, are level on points with Scotland. On a potentially crucial evening for Group D, Scotland meet Poland tonight.
It's not been long since these two sides last met. Germany took on the Irish twice on their way to qualifying for the World Cup which they won in the Summer. It was a comfortable 3-0 victory for Low's side last October, while they managed to record a 6-0 triumph in 2012. They'll be desperate to get close to those achievements this evening.
KEY PLAYER: It's time to have a quick look at who will be play a starring role for each side this evening. For Germany, it will surely be Toni Kroos who will be trusted to drive the team forward. After seeing their confidence dealt a blow by that loss to Poland, it will be down to the Real Madrid midfielder to produce his best form. If he can dictate the tempo of the game from a deeper position, it could be a long night for the visitors.
KEY PLAYER: Ireland are surely going to spend a lot of the game chasing the ball, but when they do win possession, it's imperative they use it wisely. Aiden McGeady will be a big part of their plans this evening. When they do begin to launch counter-attacks, it's the Everton winger who will hold the key. His pace and trickery can trouble the Germans, and O'Neill needs him to fire tonight.
The Veltens Arena is filling up nicely now as we quickly approach kickoff time. Plenty of Irish supporters have made the trip to Gelsenkirchen, and they are certain to be in good voice as always. We're just over 20 minutes away from the first whistle.
I mentioned the other crucial Group D game going on this evening, and you can now follow live text coverage of that clash between Poland and Scotland in Warsaw. The table could look very different in just over two hours.
PREDICTION: The time has arrived for me to predict what the outcome will be tonight. Despite their defeat to Poland on Saturday, I just can't see Germany producing a below-par display. Ireland should make it difficult for the hosts, but Low's side should prove to be too strong. 3-0 to the world champions.
For those of you - German or Irish - who want to know who to blame if it goes wrong for your side this evening, Damir Skomina of Slovenia is the referee for this match.
O'Neill has been speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game: "Germany are world champions and do retain possession so we might have to play some of this game without the ball.
"Aiden McGeady will start in a free role with Jon Walters on the right, but that might change as the game goes on."
The players are out on the pitch in Gelsenkirchen ahead of kickoff. Just the national anthems and a few handshakes before this match gets underway. Could it be a famous night for the Republic of Ireland?
Here we go then. Keane and Neuer shake hands as captains, and it will be the visitors who get the game started.
Ireland look to get onto the front foot in the early stages, but there's no way through as the hosts hold firm. Good tempo to the game in the first couple of minutes.
Germany are enjoying an extended spell of pressure now. Bellarabi's cross is blocked by the first defender, before the Bayer Leverkusen winger fails with his second attempt when McClean wins a free kick for his side.
McClean's poor touch encourages Rudiger to try his luck from 30 yards, but the defender is not even close to threatening Forde as the ball sails wide of the target.
CROSSBAR! Germany are inches away from taking the lead in stunning fashion as Durm rattles the bar with a half-volley from 30 yards. Forde put the dive in, but he wouldn't have had a chance if the ball had dipped a fraction more.
Germany are settling well, and the pitch is looking huge as the visiting players are forced to chase shadows. Rudiger and Durm are getting forward, too. O'Neill's side need to apply more pressure or it's going to be a long night.
McClean wins a tackle on the halfway line to relieve some of the pressure on his defenders, but he foolishly takes it quickly. O'Neill will be a nervous man on the touchline. It's been all Germany since the second minute.
Better from the visitors as they move further up the pitch to limit the space on offer to Germany. The pressure on the ball is making it more difficult for the hosts, but we still haven't seen much from Keane or McGeady.
O'Shea, winning his 100th cap tonight, is furious as he concedes a free kick 25 yards from goal with a needless push on Gotze. Poor decision making from the experienced defender. Can Germany take advantage?
CHANCE! It's clever from Kroos as he decides against shooting, and instead picks out Muller with a chipped cross. The Bayern Munich forward nods the ball back across the box for Rudiger, who heads wide from a great position.
Germany find a way through on the left as Gotze executes the perfect pass for Draxler. The Schalke attacker pulls the ball back for Kroos, who fires wide from the edge of the box.
Low will be fully aware that Germany enjoyed a similar start against Germany on Saturday, and he'll be desperate to see his side add a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch. Muller has been pretty quiet so far, while Draxler has drifted in and out of the game.
The Republic of Ireland waste a free kick in a promising position as Germany comfortably deal with a rare threat on their own goal. Walters has swapped wings in the past couple of minutes, but he's been playing more of a full-back since the first whistle.
Kroos starts another German attack from deep with a clever pass to Bellarabi, who cuts in from the right wing before seeing his through ball roll away from Gotze.
Whelan has performed impressively in midfield so far for the visitors, but as a team, Ireland have not kept the ball well enough. The midfielder is attempting to keep things simple, despite moves breaking down due to some wayward passing. O'Neill knows his side have more in the locker.
Draxler makes a clever run into the box from the left wing, but he loses the flight of Gotze's chipped pass and is unable to react after the ball strikes him on the top of the head. Forde responds well to gather the ball.
Germany don't do themselves any favours as both Draxler and Bellarabi come in off the wings to limit the options on offer at the end of a promising move. As a result, the pace of the game slows down quickly and Kroos is forced into a speculative effort which creeps over the crossbar.
Good football from Germany on this occasion as Gotze and Draxler combine to play in Ginter, who is legally nudged off the ball by Meyeler. Excellent defending when it mattered most.
McClean finds a yard of space on the left wing, and he immediately sends a cross into the box. Keane looks to meet the ball at the front post, but Boateng does well to clear under pressure from the Irish skipper.
A lapse of concentration from Wilson puts Forde under pressure. The goalkeeper is quick off his line, but he sends the ball straight to Draxler. Unfortunately for Germany, they are unable to capitalise as Forde looks to get back on his line. Moments later, Rudiger hits his weak header straight at the Irish shot-stopper.
A half-chance is wasted by the visitors when McClean, who creates space for himself with a lovely piece of skill to go past Rudiger, fails to pick out any of the four players in the box. Ireland had finally committed men forward, but the delivery was poor from the winger.
Despite dominating possession, we haven't seen Germany anywhere close to their best tonight. They've threatened to get behind the Irish defence on a number of occasions, but they've wasted good opportunities in the final third of the pitch. It's been too slow when the hosts have approached the box.
Muller, who has been surprisingly quiet, drops deeper to collect the ball before seeing a deflected effort go behind for a corner. A poor delivery from Kroos allows the visitors to clear, but McClean piles the pressure back on his own side with a silly foul on the same player.
CHANCE! Wilson allows Ginter to get the wrong side of him from the free kick, but the German can only head over from six yards out. It was a difficult chance, but he should have got his effort on target.
YELLOW CARD! Silly from Whelan as he hurries into a challenge on Kroos, and is rightly booked for the tackle. He'll have to be careful in midfield now.
There's a break in play when Durm takes a blow to the head in the process of fouling McGeady. Ireland have a free kick in a very promising position just over 30 yards from goal.
Quinn delivers an inviting cross to the back post from the free kick, but Wilson is unable to make any contact as Rudiger sees the ball out for a goal kick.
It's still Germany in control, but the visitors are holding firm as they continue to frustrate the world champions with some stubborn defending.
SAVE! Muller once again collects the ball in a deep position before picking out Draxler, whose powerful strike from a tight angle is kept out by Forde.
HALF TIME: GERMANY 0-0 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
You could only hear one group of supporters singing late in the first half, and they weren't German. It's not been the most exciting first half, but the Republic of Ireland will be very happy with their defensive display. Germany haven't produced enough quality, and they must improve if they are to avoid another disappointing result.
UPDATE: Elsewhere in Group D, Poland and Scotland are currently level at 1-1 in Warsaw. Krzysztof Maczynski opened the scoring for the hosts, but Shaun Maloney hit back to keep alive their hopes of pulling level with the leaders. Unsurprisingly, the minnows are losing again, with Georgia currently leading Gibraltar 2-0 at the halfway stage of their meeting.
Returning to this game, you've got to assume that Germany will produce a different kind of display at the break. It looked like Low was giving instructions to Lukas Podolski late in the first half, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him introduced soon. They've lacked width in the final third of the pitch, and he would provide a different threat on the left.
O'Neill will want to see more of the same from his side in defence, but he will be hoping his players can use the ball better when they do break forward. They haven't created a chance yet, and that's mainly due to the hopeful balls they've knocked forward to an isolated Robbie Keane.
SUBSTITUTION: As was expected, Podolski has been sent on for the start of the second half. Ginter is the man who is replaced in a very positive move from Low. Germany get the game back underway.
The early signs in the second half have suggested that Kroos will play on his own in a deep midfield role as Podolski is sent out to the left wing. It's going to be a big test for the Irish to handle all of the German attackers.
Walters finds himself in a promising position on the right but he wastes a decent opportunity to set up an attack when he fails to play a simple pass to McGeady. O'Neill's side must improve in that department if they are to trouble the hosts.
Podolski almost makes the worst kind of impact as he gifts the ball to Keane, who then picks out McGeady in the box. The Everton ace is pushed wide before Quinn arrives to whip in a dangerous cross which Neuer does well to collect with Keane waiting to add the finishing touch.
SAVE! Better from Podolski as he comes close to opening the scoring with a deflected strike from 25 yards which Forde does well to tip past the post. The corner which follows is cleared by the visitors.
Worrying signs for the Republic of Ireland as Whelan goes down injured after the visitors survive another spell of German pressure. Will the midfielder be forced off?
Interesting few moments on the touchline as Hendrick gets ready to come on, before Whelan decides that he can return to the pitch. I'm not sure how much longer he will last tonight.
SAVE! Superb from Kroos as he picks out Bellarabi with a lofted pass to the right of the box, but the latter's effort is pushed wide by Forde. Good save.
SUBSTITUTION: No surprise to see Whelan finally removed as he limps off to make way for Hendrick.
SAVE! It feels like a breakthrough is coming. Kross earns himself some space 25 yards from goal before seeing a swerving effort tipped over by Forde. A clearance only relieves the pressure for a few moments as the hosts remain on top.
Germany come close once again as a flick on from Hummels reaches Muller, who is unable to convert from close range. Forde gathers the ball inside the six-yard as the visitors survive another nervy moment.
YELLOW CARD! Podolski is furious, but he shouldn't be arguing with this decision. Muller heads into the Arsenal forward's path, and he reacts by going down under pressure from Wilson. No foul takes place, and Podolski is booked for diving in the box.
Germany have definitely found another gear early in the second half. They've stepped up the intensity of their play, and they look far more dangerous. O'Neill's side will have to enjoy some luck if they are to keep the world champions out.
A couple of last-ditch clearances results in the ball reaching Boateng, whose speculative strike from 35 yards is blocked before it can trouble Forde. You feel that Ireland need to change something to relieve some of this pressure.
SUBSTITUTION: O'Neill uses his second change to bring Darron Gibson on for Keane. Will that move see Walters play up front for the remainder of this game? Gibson has slotted in alongside Quinn and Hendrick in the centre of midfield.
A rare venture forward from the visitors ends in frustration as Hummels and Durm both make vital clearances under pressure in the box. We've seen very little of the Irish as an attacking threat. O'Neill may consider sending on Shane Long to give them a quicker option in the channels.
YELLOW CARD! Poor from Wilson as he bundles Gotze over with an overly eager challenge in the centre circle. Germany continue to probe away in the final third of the pitch as they look for a way through.
Germany want a penalty again when Gotze goes to ground inside the box. Both Gotze and O'Shea had hands on each other as they looked to reach the ball first, and there wasn't enough contact from the Irish skipper for a penalty to be given.
SUBSTITUTION: Low makes another change as Max Kruse is sent on to replace Draxler.
GOAL! GERMANY 1-0 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (KROOS)
Germany break the deadlock! Kroos is gifted too much time by Quinn 25 yards from goal and the Real Madrid midfielder responds by firing an unstoppable strike past Forde via the post. Brilliant strike from Germany's key man.
The concern for O'Neill now is that his side have struggled to produce much of a threat going forward, so it seems unlikely that they will find a way to snatch an equaliser. Germany remain on top following the goal as they look to extend their advantage.
SUBSTITUTION: The visitors make another change as Quinn, who has tired in the second half, is replaced by Hoolahan. Germany continue to dominate possession as we enter the closing stages of the game.
Plenty more noise coming from the home fans in the past few minutes after Kroos took the pressure off the world champions. O'Shea heads another corner away, before Boateng curls an effort straight at Forde from the edge of the box.
SAVE! There doesn't look to be a way through on the edge of the box, but Muller's clever pass reaches Gotze, who is denied by a brilliant save from Forde as he looked to lift the ball over the goalkeeper.
The tiring Irish players are given a brief rest when Ward requires treatment after landing awkwardly. It looks like he is in quite a bit of pain, but O'Neill has already used all three of his substitutions, so they need him to stay on.
Ward is still limping, but he has returned to the pitch in an attempt to battle through the final few minutes with his teammates. I'm not sure if Burnley manager Sean Dyche will be as impressed with his decision as the Irish fans.
CHANCE! The Republic of Ireland come agonisingly close to levelling the scores. McGeady finds some space on the wing after Hummels was caught out of position with a foul on Walters. The Everton winger delivers the perfect cross for Hoolahan, but his effort from six yards out is superbly blocked by Durm. Stunning defending. Hummels picks up a yellow for his tackle.
SUBSTITUTION: Low uses his final change to replace Bellarabi with Sebastian Rudy.
It's not clicking for the Irish when they do get the ball forward as they look to create one more opportunity. Germany have dropped slightly deeper in the past couple of minutes, which is making it very difficult for the visitors.
Germany are doing a very good job of looking after the ball in possession as the fourth official confirms there will be four minutes added on.
Kroos and Podolski combine to create space for the latter, but an offside flag stops Germany's progress as Gotze looked to reach the cross in the box.
A Gibson free kick somehow manages to reach McClean in the box, but his volley into the danger zone is cleared by the hosts. Low looks nervous on the touchline as Germany battle to secure the win.
GOAL! GERMANY 1-1 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (O'SHEA)
What a moment! O'Shea snatches a point for his side in the final minute of stoppage time. A deep cross from Hoolahan is put back into the middle of the box by Hendrick. The ball reaches O'Shea, who converts with a brilliant volley on his 100th international appearance.
FULL TIME: GERMANY 1-1 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Incredible scenes in Gelsenkirchen as the Irish players and supporters celebrate a tremendous draw against the world champions. The German players look distraught as they walk off with a point, when it looked like they would ease to a victory moments earlier.
Have you caught your breath yet? A dramatic evening ends in stunning style as O'Shea clinches a draw for the Republic of Ireland. That's all from our live coverage, but there is analysis and reaction on the way. Goodnight everyone.
