Romania secure Euro 2016 ticket with win in Faroe Islands

Thomas Mueller put the home team in front from the spot in the 50th minute.

Then, just before the break, in-form striker Robert Lewandowski scored the victor three minutes from time to seal the victory and automatic qualification for the home side.

Ireland finished three points behind Poland, but can still qualify for the Euros via a playoff.

World champions Germany secured their place at Euro 2016 despite labouring to a 2-1 win at home to Georgia, while Poland also qualified for next summer’s finals after beating the Republic of Ireland 2-1.

Grzegorz Krychowiak netted a 13th-minute opener for the Poles in Warsaw before Jon Walters levelled from the penalty spot shortly after.

Scotland routed Gibraltar 6-0 in Faro, Portugal, in the other group game to finish three points behind Ireland in fourth.

Albania opened the scoring with an own goal by Armenia defender Kamo Hovhannisyan in the ninth minute.

The coach, who guided Romania to Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup, began his third spell in charge last October, replacing Piturca who quit after agreeing to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad on a lucrative contract.

Nani scored in the fifth minute after Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Sotjkovi failed to hold a shot from Danny, and Zoran Tosic equalized in the 65th before substitute Joao Moutinho netted the victor from the top of the area in the 78th.

Earlier, Albania qualified for their first major worldwide tournament as they beat Armenia 3-0, while Portugal, already through as group winners, registered their seventh successive qualifying victory as they overcame Serbia 2-1 in Belgrade.

Romania also booked their ticket to Euro 2016 thanks to a 3-0 win against Faroe Islands.

It was the 32-year-old’s first effort for Romania and another man breaking his worldwide duck, Constantin Budescu, claimed the first two against the Faroe Islands on Sunday before Alexandru Maxim made certain.

Northern Ireland drew 1-1 with Finland in Helsinki after allowing a late equalizer by Paulus Arajuuri.

Hungary led twice in the second half, only for Greece to equalize twice within three minutes.

Hungary remained in third place on 16 after losing 4-3 in Greece and will try to reach the finals via the playoffs.

It was Hungary’s turn to take the lead next as Kristian Nemeth edged them ahead, before their opponents equalised through Panagiotis Tachtsidis, with a late Kostas Mitroglou strike soon cancelling out a second from Nemeth.

The marathon week of qualifiers continues on Monday and Tuesday with another 18 matches after which 20 finalists will be known, including the team that has qualified with the best record from the third-placed finishers in he nine groups.