World Cup 2014 - Group C:Ireland's Group C rivals Germany survived a torrid first half against neighbours Austria before Marco Reus and Mesut Ozil scored either side of halftime to give them a 2-1 win in their 2014 World Cup qualifier in Vienna.

The Germans clung on for three points and only won after Marko Arnautovic missed a great chance for the hosts in the 87th minute.

Reus burst down the left, cut inside Gyorgy Garics and buried a low shot past Robert Almer three minutes before the break after the feisty hosts, fielding nine Bundesliga-based players, had looked capable of producing an upset.

Ozil, scorer of two goals in the 3-0 win over Faroe Islands on Friday, converted a penalty after Veli Kavlak recklessly clattered into Thomas Mueller.

Austria, playing their opening match in Group C, refused to lie down and Zlatko Junuzovic pulled one back in the 57th minute, turning in the ball in after Arnautovic forced his way to the byline and sent a low cross into the goalmouth.

The result moved Germany top of the group, ahead of Ireland and Sweden on three points, after the latter beat Kazakhstan 2-0 at home.

A 90th minute second from Marcus Berg added gloss to the victory after Rasmus Elm opened the scoring in the 37th minute.