Republic of Ireland failed to find a breakthrough as Germany qualified for Euro 2008 with a 0-0 draw at Croke Park.
Germany become first team to reach Euro 2008
Germany came to Croke Park needing just one point from their remaining four games to mathematically qualify, and they now sit comfortably at the top of Group D.
The runaway leaders had very little chances which troubled the changed Irish back-four as John O'Shea failed a fitness test and pulled out before the game, bringing in inexperienced Bolton defender Joey O'Brien into the fray.
Ireland had the best chance of the game in the second half when Robbie Keane beat the offside trap and found himself one-on-one with Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, but his complacent lob did not trouble the Germany shotstopper.
The Irish threw everything at Germany but to no avail. They now face a challenging task in their remaining two games where they will have to cope without experienced pair Richard Dunne and Lee Carsley who both got yellow carded against the Germans and will miss the game versus Cyprus on Wednesday.
Midfield battle
Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger was an early casualty when he clashed with Wigan Athletic midfielder Kevin Kilbane competing for a header, and was replaced by Bayer Leverkusen's Simon Rolfes.
Germany had the best first-half chances with Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder twice going close and with an attempt being saved off the line, but Ireland's defence held and it stayed 0-0 at the break.
The hosts' best chance fell early in the second-half when striker Robbie Keane tried to lob German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and the Arsenal shotstopper and captain Torsten Frings both picked up yellow cards in the opening ten minutes after the break.
Germany's player of the year striker Mario Gomez failed to take his chance to impress head coach Joachim Low and he made way on 64 minutes for Bayern Munich's Lukas Podolski, voted the best young player at last year's World Cup.
Podolski went close on numerous occasions, but, like Gomez before him, could not beat Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given, while at the other end, Reading striker Shane Long tested Lehmann with a well struck drive on 76 minutes.
The Irish launched a late attack, but the German defence held out.
