Wisconsin Soccer Central

Shannon Smyth (Mequon/Milwaukee DSHA) and the Republic of Ireland national team were mere moments from a monumental result Saturday in Dublin.

Stephanie Roche's 89th-minute goal pulled the home side into a tie with Germany in a Women's World Cup qualifier, but Melanie Leupolz stunned the crowd of 1,623 at Tallaght Stadium with a stoppage-time winner that gave the visitors a 3-2 victory.

Smyth started in the center of midfield in coach Sue Ronan's 4-3-3 formation, earning her 31st cap, and played 58 minutes. Ireland took the lead just 3 minutes in when Louise Quinn scored on a header off a throw-in by Megan Campbell – the first goal allowed by the Germans in six qualifiers – and led well into the second half.

Germany, the reigning European champions, equalized through Simone Laudehr's penalty kick in the 65th and made it 2-1 when Lena Lotzen scored in the 84th. Roche, though, tied it up again 5 minute later, converting off another long throw by Campbell.

Leupolz, though, played a long cross that got caught up in the wind and carried over Irish goalkeeper Emma Byrne and into the goal in the first minute of stoppage time as the Germans improved to 6-0-0 in qualifying.

Germany, which has outscored opponents 43-2, is expected to win Group 1 and claim an automatic berth in next year's Women's World Cup in Canada, leaving the other five teams to battle for the runner-up spot and one of four playoff spots. Ireland (2-1-1) remains in second place, one point ahead of Russia (2-1-0) – the teams' first meeting is May 7 in Dublin.