Albania joins Germany, Poland, Romania at Euro 2016

The Republic of Ireland will contest a two-leg play-off to determine their Euro 2016 qualification fate after suffering defeat to Group D rivals Poland on Sunday (11 October).

“Poland, who are a very, very fine side, went down at every opportunity, as you would expect them to, to cut the game”.

Looking ahead to the play-offs (the draw will take place next Sunday), former Sunderland boss O’Neill said: “Whoever we play, we will have as good a chance as them”.

Ireland responded immediately when Shane Long was fouled in the penalty area and Stoke’s Jon Walters stepped up to fire home.

The Zimbabwean footballer, who returned mid-season this year to rejoin Dynamos, made history as the first non-European player to win the Golden Boot in the Polish top-flight league in May 2009 and, as they honoured him, special mention was given to Lewandowski. “The game was stop-start a lot of the match and in the second half, it was very much that case, so I will draw great solace and great determination from the players and their efforts”. While many of Ireland’s attacking moves broke down due to a misplaced ball, hosts Poland appeared relatively relaxed in possession.

Fans who watch Poland vs. Republic of Ireland live stream will see if Given’s replacement, Rob Elliot, lives up to O’Neill’s expectations.

Lewandowski claimed the victor with a header to Krzysztof Maczynski’s cross in the 42nd.

However, the red hot Robert Lewandowski notched his 15th goal in his last six games in all competitions just before half-time to down Ireland, who had John O’Shea sent-off in stoppage time for a second yellow card.

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

Albania reached the European Championship for the first time thanks to its 3-0 victory in Armenia for second place in Group I.

The play-off opponents are likely to be another mid-ranking nation, which, like Ireland, is hugely grateful to embattled UEFA chief Michel Platini for extending the Euro finals to 24 teams.

Nineteen countries qualify automatically, with 18 going through by either topping their group or finishing in second place, while one other nation – Turkey in this instance – will go to France if they end third and had the best record against the rest of the countries in their group.

Group victor Portugal beat already eliminated Serbia 2-1, winning its seventh consecutive qualifier after a shock 1-0 loss to Albania in the teams’ opener. The Georgia captain atoned three minutes later by equalizing with a volley from a half-cleared corner.

Poland booked their ticket for the European Championships, after they secured a 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland.