European Qualifying round-up: Germany secure top spot

Joachim Low has demanded Germany “improve their efficiency” as his side aim to book a place at Euro 2016 against Georgia on Sunday. Again in this game we have not taken the variety of opportunities we created.

Poland claimed second spot after goals from Grzegorz Krychowiak and Robert Lewandowski secured a 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland in Warsaw, with Jon Walters scoring from the spot for the visitors.

“We are all disappointed after doing brilliantly against Germany (last time out). We had the confidence and expected to win”, said Ireland defender Seamus Coleman. “Three, four huge chances early on and then the mistakes start creeping in”, he said.

“We know that is not what we demand from ourselves”. But there is a long way to go until the EURO and we know that a long period of preparation will do us a lot of good.

Muller controlled on his chest and forced Nukri Revishvili into the first of several fine saves with a smart shot on the half-volley after just three minutes before Toni Kroos volleyed wide.

Steven Fletcher scored his second Group D hat-trick against Gibraltar as Scotland concluded their failed qualification campaign with a 6-0 win over the section minnows at the Estadio Algarve in Faro.

During this qualifying campaign we had to make a few changes in the team and it is obvious that not everything would run smoothly after that.

Georgia would have taken the lead were it not for Manuel Neuer’s reflex save to keep out Tornike Okriashvili’s shot in the 28th.

The Germans then managed to close out the match with minimal fuss, ensuring they qualified for Euro 2016 as group winners.

Germany, Poland, Albania and Romania joined already qualified Wales, Belgium, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, England, hosts France, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland in the 24-team finals.

Serbia replied through Zoran Tosic on 65 minutes but Joao Moutinho’s terrific curling strike handed Portugal all three points as the hosts saw both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Nemanja Matic sent off late.

Craig Cathcart’s 31st-minute goal in Helsinki put Michael O’Neill’s side in front but Paulus Arajuuri’s late equaliser earned Finland a share of the spoils.

Greece edged a seven-goal thriller against Hungary, while Albania won 3-0 on Armenia.

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 the nine groups.