The Republic of Ireland moved within 90 minutes of qualifying for Euro 2016 courtesy of a shock 1-0 victory over Germany at the Aviva Stadium this evening.

Shane Long got the only goal of the game for the hosts, hitting the world champions on the break with just 20 minutes remaining to earn a famous victory.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out on a night to remember in Dublin.

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IRELAND

Goal

Shay Given: Was surprisingly untested during his time on the field before being stretchered off with a knee injury just before half time. (6/10)

Defence

Cyrus Christie: Really struggled in the first half as Germany targeted his wing time after time. Soon rose to the challenge, though, and put in a fine display after the break. (7/10)

Richard Keogh: Helped to keep Germany at bay despite relentless pressure from the visitors. That the world champions only managed three shots on target - all in the final 10 minutes - was down to some heroic defending. (7/10)

John O'Shea: A man-of-the-match display from the inspirational captain. Can't keep a clean sheet for love nor money at Sunderland, but somehow kept the world champions at bay alongside three Championship defenders tonight. It's a funny old game. (8/10)

Stephen Ward: Played his part in a stout defensive performance before limping off with around 20 minutes remaining. Germany in general targeted the opposite flank. (7/10)

Midfield

Jeff Hendrick: Perhaps could have given Christie a little more help in the first half, but soon woke up to his defensive duties and made it more difficult for Germany to play through. (7/10)

James McCarthy: Given the holding midfield role up against arguably the finest selection of creative midfielders in international football, but more than held his own. A very disciplined and effective performance to help stave off the German threat. (7/10)

Wes Hoolahan: Gave Ireland a good outlet and always looked comfortable on the ball wherever he was on the field. Ensured that there was occasional respite for the defence with his ability in possession. (7/10)

Robbie Brady: Forced to spend the vast majority of his time inside his own half as Ireland got bodies behind the ball, and contributed to a memorable defensive performance. (7/10)

Attack

Jonathan Walters: Had Ireland's two sights of goal in the first half, but his main contribution was his work rate once again. Helped to keep at least some of the late pressure at bay by taking the ball into the corner. (7/10)

Daryl Murphy: Not exactly the type of match he could thrive in. Chosen ahead of Long but did not have an impact, with his only notable contribution seeing him fire a powerful effort comfortably wide. (5/10)

Substitutes

Darren Randolph: Replaced Given for his competitive international debut, but was similarly untroubled by Germany until the final 10 minutes, when his three saves were relatively routine ones. (6/10)

Shane Long: The match-winner off the bench. May have felt aggrieved not to have started in Robbie Keane's absence, but responded in the perfect manner and took his one and only chance brilliantly to send Dublin wild. Provided a priceless outlet in the closing stages too. (8/10)

David Meyler: Came on for the injured Ward and help Ireland to see out the result in the closing 20 minutes or so. (6/10)

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GERMANY

Goal

Manuel Neuer: Was a spectator for the vast majority of the match and left helpless by Long's finish for the winning goal. (6/10)

Defence

Matthias Ginter: Effectively played as a right winger for most of the game due to Germany's dominance, but failed to make much headway down his flank. (6/10)

Jerome Boateng: Missed one good chance early on and will be hugely disappointed with how the entire defence was beaten by one long ball forward for the goal. Didn't have much to do defensively, but was found lacking when called upon. (5/10)

Mats Hummels: Will also be upset with the Ireland goal, but used possession better than his centre-back partner and added an attacking threat at times as well. (6/10)

Jonas Hector: Like Ginter on the opposite flank, he spent most of his time going forward down the left, where Germany got plenty of joy in the first half. Also could have done better for the goal, though. (6/10)

Midfield

Ilkay Gundogan: His shooting was hit and miss all night, but in general play he was solid. He provided a good base for Germany and broke up most Ireland attacks that came his way. (6/10)

Toni Kroos: Helped Germany to dominate possession with his tidy passing from the middle of the park, and also made an important contribution to deny Walters a clear chance in the first half. (6/10)

Thomas Muller: Always carried a lingering threat to the Ireland defence, but lacked the killer instinct tonight. Wasted Germany's best chance of the match when the whole stadium was waiting for the net to bulge. (5/10)

Mesut Ozil: Charged with being the main creative hub in the number 10 role, but couldn't find a way through the Ireland defence, with the majority of Germany's chances coming from wide positions. (5/10)

Marco Reus: Was Germany's best player in the first half, giving Christie a torrid time down the German left. Faded in the second half, although he did set up a good chance for Schurrle with a peach of a cross. (7/10)

Attack

Mario Gotze: Was bright during his time on the field, but only lasted 35 minutes before being forced off with what looked like a groin injury. (6/10)

Substitutes

Andre Schurrle: Replaced Gotze and looked dangerous for the final 10 minutes of the first half, but struggled to have any sort of impact after the break. (5/10)

Karim Bellarabi: On for Ginter with 13 minutes remaining but could not provide the spark needed for Germany to get back into the match. (6/10)

Kevin Volland: Handed six minutes at the end and, unsurprisingly, didn't have enough time to change things. (6/10)

Written by
Barney Corkhill