Euro qualifiers: Plucky Irish travel to struggling Germany

The world champions have struggled after losing several experienced players

GELSENKIRCHEN: The Republic of Ireland travel to face Germany in tomorrow’s Euro 2016 qualifier with Martin O'Neill's side looking for their first win over the world champions in 20 years.

Joachim Loew's men will be looking to make amends for Saturday's shock 2-0 defeat to Poland in Warsaw – the Poles' first win over their neighbours in 19th attempts – which left the Germans fourth in Group D after two matches.

The Irish, meanwhile, crushed minnows Gibraltar 7-0 in Dublin to go second. Captain Robbie Keane wrapped up a hat-trick in just 18 minutes and later said the goal-fest gave his side a welcome confidence boost. "There is no reason why we can't go there [Germany] and get something out of the game," said Keane. "It's going to be tough, they are the world champions and it will be completely different from the game against Gibraltar, but we are going there with confidence."

Keane set a new record of 21 goals in European qualification matches, but is not sure of his place against the Germans but insists he is more concerned about the result. "Everyone wants to play, there's no question about that, but the manager has to pick what's right for the team," said the captain. "As long as we get a result, I couldn't care less."

Germany have struggled since winning the World Cup, but Loew sees no reason to panic as new players bed in. "It's not surprising that every team now wants to give a few more per cent against the world champions, and there have been significant changes to our team since the World Cup," said Loew. "In the next two years, our players will pick up experience from which they will learn. I don't see any major problems with qualifying.

Costa opens account

Diego Costa scored his first goal for Spain as the European champions got their title defence back on track with a 4-0 win over Luxembourg in Group C on Sunday.

David Silva and Paco Alcacer gave Spain a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break, with Costa snatching the third on the 69^th minute and substitute Juan Bernat made it 4-0 with a debut goal in the 87^th.