The Republic of Ireland have frustrated world champions Germany in the first half of their Euro 2016 qualifier this evening, going into the break still goalless in Gelsenkirchen.

The hosts were inches away from making a perfect start to the match just six minutes in when Eric Durm rattled the crossbar with a strike from range.

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They had another chance to break the deadlock less than 10 minutes later, but Antonio Rudiger nodded wide after good link-up play between Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller.

Germany continued to dominate possession throughout the half, but they struggled to find a way past a stubborn Irish defence.

They did conjure up a decent opening shortly before the break, but Matthias Ginter could not keep his header down from six yards having got the wrong side of Marc Wilson.

Julian Draxler had a late effort from a tight angle for the hosts, but he couldn't it squeeze it past the keeper as the sides remained goalless at the interval.