WATCH: On this day in 2002, Robbie Keane hit the German net in Ibaraki

Robbie Keane in action for an Ireland XI v a Liverpool Legends side in a charity match for Seán Cox

Robbie Keane in action for an Ireland XI v a Liverpool Legends side in a charity match for Seán Cox Credit: Conor Ryan (ETPhotos)

Robbie Keane breached the German net in injury time 21 years ago today to earn Ireland a priceless point at the 2002 World Cup.
 
Having drawn with 1-1 Cameroon on day one, a point against the Germans and a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia were enough to send Ireland through to the knockout stages. 
 
But as time ticked down on the clock in Ibaraki, so too was the clock inching its way towards what could well have been World Cup elimination for Ireland.
 
Qualification secured through a two-legged play-off with Iran, after beating the Netherlands to second in a group containing Luis Figo’s Portugal, was on a knife-edge.
 
Mick McCarthy’s side dominated for large spells against a German side who would go all the way to the final before being undone by Ronaldo-inspired Brazil.
 
An early Miroslav Klose header - the striker would go on to score five over the tournament - had put Germany in firm control but Ireland were relentless after the break.
 
So it was with relief that a long ball from Fulham’s Steve Finnan was nodded down by Niall Quinn into the then-Leeds United striker Keane.
 
The Tallaght man controlled the ball with his thigh and, stretching, generated enough power to beat eventual player of the tournament Oli Kahn.
 
That would be the only goal Kahn would concede in the entire tournament until he was twice thwarted by the outstanding Ronaldo in the final.

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