"I thought when we went 1 - 0 down it was a blow. I did for some strange reason think that there might have been a chance or two in it and thankfully there was."

Hindsight is an advantage, but Ireland left-back Stephen Ward is adamant that the Boys in Green still felt that they had a chance in Gelsenkirchen last night even after Toni Kroos gave world champions Germany the lead.

The 29-year-old Burnley player was speaking to us on Off The Ball tonight and he was delighted with how he and his team-mates stood up to the challenge.

"There weren't too many times when I felt they cut us open and created a chance where you thought they really should have scored."

Ward also spoke about Ireland's gameplan in terms of keeping things tight and feels the point was deseved despite Germany dominating many facets of the game, adding that Martin O'Neill had told the team that it was better to lose 2 -0 or 3 - 0 in final stages than not take a chance. 

"The dressing room was unbelievable at the end. Everyone was buoyant. I suppose scoring so late makes it extra special."