Germany's World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland is under way in Cologne. A win would assure Germany qualification to next summer's tournament, but a draw could be enough assuming other results in Group C go their way.

The match also marks the 50th cap for playmaking midfielder Mesut Özil, and the 99th cap for Bastian Schweinsteiger.

With Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose out injured, coach Joachim Löw has opted to go with a less-traditional attacking lineup that features Thomas Müller, Mesut Özil and Andre Schürrle up front.

Manuel Neuer - Philipp Lahm (c.), Jerome Boateng, Per Mertesacker, Marcell Jansen - Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos - Thomas Müller, Mesut Özil, Andre Schürrle.

Ireland 11:

David Forde - Damien Delaney, Stephen Kelly, Ciaran Clark, Marc Wilson - James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Darren Gibson, glenn Whelan - Anthony Stokes, Kevin Doyle

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