1 David Forde (Millwall) 9/10
Great night for the established Ireland No. 1. Saved at his near post from Bellarabi’s poke on 52 minutes before fending a rasping Kroos effort on 54 minutes. The goal he conceded was a perfect shot.
12 David Meyler (Hull City) 7/10
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Nicked Podolski’s ankle in the box as the Germans poured forward after half-time. Referee got it wrong - should have been a penalty - but solid in a foreign position, even raiding forward at the death.
4 John O’Shea (Sunderland) 9/10
Heroic goal that sits snugly beside any effort from the great players to wear the green jersey. Grew into the game after taking the armband from Keane. The centurion fully deserves this fairy tale ending.
3 Marc Wilson (Stoke City) 7/10
Shaky in the first half but better than expected, holding the line and refusing to be flustered by the mesmerising movement of Müller. Has earned the right to partner O’Shea.
2 Stephen Ward (Burnley) 7/10
Considering the stakes, above heavy criticism tonight. Surprisingly composed. Helped in combating the Bellarabi threat by Quinn, McClean and Walters.
19 Jon Walters (Stoke City) 7/10
Provided the “strength” Martin O’Neill felt Ireland needed in this tie, becoming the lone striker on the hour mark as Ireland attempted to batten down the hatches.
6 Glenn Whelan (Stoke City) 7/10
Forty minutes until the opportunity came; Toni Kroos’s ankle and a yellow card. Otherwise screened the Germans like a soldier at Checkpoint Charlie. Crocked on 50 minutes when blocking Podolski, tried to carry on but replaced by Jeff Hendrick.
18 Stephen Quinn (Hull City) 7/10
Worked and harried and while the Kroos goal can be seen as a slight lapse in concentration, this is a night that will make him a better midfielder.
11 James McClean (Wigan Athletic) 8/10
Covered miles of road. Vital block on Müller and lashed into Germans in a manner mirroring Roy Keane. Almost got a few runs at isolated fullbacks. Almost. Refused to tire. Key member of the late onslaught.
7 Aiden McGeady (Everton) 7/10
Tentatively at first, he made the Germans turn on their heals but as the minutes ticked away, while error strewn, thundered into the hosts.
10 Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) 5/10
One chance on 48 minutes. Waited, waited before feeding McGeady whose shot was blocked by Hummels. It fell to McClean who drilled it across the goal. Neuer was ahead of the Galaxy striker. That was it.
Manager 8/10
O’Neill reacted to Joachim Löw at every turn. Around the hour mark sent on Hendrick and Gibson, one due to Whelan’s injury, the other for the aging Keane. It was a sound tactic. Hoolahan’s arrival was also timely.
Subs 7/10
Great chance for Hoolahan on 84 minutes, matched by Durm’s superb block but he was muscled off a few balls, which may justify O’Neill’s initial selection. Jeff Hendrick for Whelan and Darron Gibson for Robbie Keane on 61 minutes both made respectable impacts.
