Germany made to sweat by Georgia but Max Kruse goal seals qualification

Poland ultimately held firm to secure second spot in the group, a point behind Germany, while O’Neill’s side – which had John O’Shea dismissed for a second booking in stoppage-time – must wait to discover who it will meet in the play-offs.

Germany was unconvincing for long periods against Georgia and needed a penalty from Thomas Mueller to make the breakthrough in the 50th minute.

“That is not our standard, there is still much work ahead of us”. “We can sing the same tune today that we sang against Ireland”, Germany coach Joachim Loew said.

“I don’t think that any other opponent has created more chances against them during this campaign”.

The first half started in understandably nervy fashion, but Poland took the lead through a moment of real quality.

The world champions need at least a point against Georgia in Leipzig on Sunday to make sure of their place.

Although his numbers show good form, Ozil will be aiming for a more direct contribution in Sunday’s game with Georgia, where Germany will look for a victory to seal their spot in next summer’s tournament.

Manuel Neuer’s reflex save to keep out Tornike Okriashvili’s shot in the 28th denied the visitors in their only attack from the opening 45 minutes.

Mueller made no mistake from the spot, after Kankava was penalized for bringing down Mesut Ozil.

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.

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. “That’s the only thing that counts”, Kruse said. “This is a matter on which we have to work”, the Borussia Dortmund defender said.

In Warsaw, Grzegorz Krychowiak fired Poland ahead in the 13th, only for Jon Walters to equalize three minutes later with a penalty.

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

Serbia played the final minutes with nine men as captain Aleksandar Kolarov was sent off with a second yellow card in the 80th and Nemanja Matic received a straight red in the 81st.

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.