The Republic of Ireland have secured a shock 1-0 win over Germany in their Euro 2016 Group D qualifier at the Aviva Stadium to put them within one game of automatic qualification for next year's finals in France.

James McCarthy of Republic of Ireland (C) celebrates victory with team mates after the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier group D match between Republic of Ireland and Germany at the Aviva Stadium on October 8, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. © Getty Images

The visitors were dominant from the off, passing the ball around with confidence, with Marco Reus seeing a shot blocked before Jerome Boateng nodded over from close range.

Ilkay Gundogan then saw a 13th-minute shot deflected just over the crossbar, and just six minutes later a low cross from Thomas Muller was bundled home by Mesut Ozil, though the flag was raised for offside.

Martin O'Neill's side, however, had several flashes of skill during the first half, with Jonathan Walters forcing a corner in the 35th minute when his effort from inside the box was efficiently blocked.

With five minutes left to play before the break, Ozil came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock when he collected a precise pass inside the box and sliced a shot just beyond the left post.

Despite the positive half-time result for the hosts, they suffered a setback just before the break when goalkeeper Shay Given had to be replaced by Darren Randolph following an injury.

Jeff Hendrick of Republic of Ireland and Ilkay Gundogan of Germany compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier group D match between Republic of Ireland and Germany at the Aviva Stadium on October 8, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. © Getty Images

Joachim Low's charges picked up from where they left off after the restart, controlling tempo and possession, and in the 55th minute Andre Schurrle fired just over the bar following Reus's cross.

In a surprising turn of events, Ireland went on to take the lead in the 71st minute despite being under the cosh for most of the evening, as Randolph's long goal kick was met by Shane Long and hammered into the top corner past Manuel Neuer.

Germany set about trying to get back into the the game, but Muller was guilty of a glaring miss when he picked up a pass from Jonas Hector inside the box and his shot flashed inches wide of the left post.

Ultimately the 2014 World Cup champions could not break down their opponents as the final whistle blew to raucous cheers at the Aviva Stadium, which meant that Ireland would go level on points with Poland, whom they play on Sunday for a chance to finish second in Group D.