Euro 2016 Qualifying Results: Monday's Scores, Group Tables, Upcoming Fixtures
Germany defeated Scotland in the best game of Monday night in a fantastic battle at Hampden Park. The world champions claimed a 3-2 victory after the Scots twice came back from deficits to level the match.
Poland demolished Gibraltar 8-1 at home to keep their chase of the Germans intact, with the Republic of Ireland gaining a 1-0 win against Georgia to stay in touch at the top of Group D.
Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo left it until the second minute of injury time to grab an unspectacular 1-0 win in Albania. The hosts held their illustrious rivals at bay for most of the match, but a late Miguel Veloso header won the points.
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Denmark could only manage a goalless draw against lowly Armenia, meaning they retain second spot behind CR7's team in Group I.
Northern Ireland took a huge step towards Euro 2016 after obtaining a 1-1 draw against Hungary. Romania's surprise goalless draw against Greece means the Irish hold on to top spot in Group F. In the group's other match, Finland defeated the Faroe Islands by a solitary goal, keeping them in fourth spot.
Here are Monday's results, with updated standings and Tuesday's fixtures:
| Monday, Sept. 7 | Armenia v Denmark | 0-0 |
| Monday, Sept. 7 | Republic of Ireland v Georgia | 1-0 |
| Monday, Sept. 7 | Scotland v Germany | 2-3 |
| Monday, Sept. 7 | Northern Ireland v Hungary | 1-1 |
| Monday, Sept. 7 | Poland v Gibraltar | 8-1 |
| Monday, Sept. 7 | Finland v Faroe Islands | 1-0 |
| Monday, Sept. 7 | Romania v Greece | 0-0 |
| Monday, Sept. 7 | Albania v Portugal | 0-1 |
| 1 | Germany | 19 | N. Ireland | 17 | Portugal | 15 |
| 2 | Poland | 17 | Romania | 16 | Denmark | 12 |
| 3 | Rep. Ireland | 15 | Hungary | 13 | Albania | 11 |
| 4 | Scotland | 11 | Finland | 10 | Armenia | 2 |
| 5 | Georgia | 6 | Faroe Islands | 6 | Serbia | 1 |
| 6 | Gibraltar | 0 | Greece | 3 |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Belarus v Luxembourg |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Macedonia v Spain |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Slovakia v Ukraine |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | England v Switzerland |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Lithuania v San Marino |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Slovenia v Estonia |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Liechtenstein v Russia |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Moldova v Montenegro |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Sweden v Austria |
Monday Recap
Germany will know they were in a real battle on Monday night after a bruising encounter against a rejuvenated Scotland. Hampden Park was bouncing after its side twice levelled with the group leaders, but the team didn't have the quality to grab a result.
Thomas Muller opened the scoring in the first half with a deflected effort, but the Scots equalised through a Mats Hummels own goal after Manuel Neuer flapped and palmed the ball against his defender.
Germany retook the lead through the effervescent Muller soon after, but the crowd were in rapture once again as James McArthur saw his first time shot fly past Neuer to make it 2-2 at the break.
Scotland continued to look for a shock winner in the second half, but it was left to Ilkay Gundogan to wrap up the points with a smart finish after excellent work once again by Muller.
Disappointed Scottish journalist Martin Williams was unimpressed with his side's final efforts as the clock ticked down to the final whistle:
Poland made no mistake in their predictable home victory against Gibraltar, winning 8-1 to stay ahead of the Republic of Ireland.
Kamil Grosicki's double opened the scoring for the Poles with Robert Lewandowski also grabbing a quick brace to make it 4-0. Arkadiusz Milik (2), Jakub Blaszczykowski and Bartosz Kapustka made it eight on the night for the hosts, but an 87th-minute effort by Jake Gosling gave Gibraltar a moment to cheer.
Ireland remain in third in Group D after a second-half goal by Jon Walters kept their qualification hopes alive. A Jeff Hendrick run set up the winner for Walters after a very nervous display by the Irish.
Portugal consolidated top spot in Group I after robbing the points in a dramatic end to their match with Albania. In a dull affair, Veloso popped up in the 92nd minute to head home—and break Albanian hearts.
Denmark's point against Armenia keeps them just ahead of the plucky Albanians, who deserved a share of the spoils on Monday night.
Northern Ireland continued to buck the trend in Group F, with the results falling in their favour—keeping them top of the group.
It seemed Richard Guzmics had given the visitors the precious win as he converted late in the match, but an injury-time equaliser by the prolific Kyle Lafferty—scoring his seventh of the campaign—earned a point for the Irish.
Romania's failure to score or beat Greece in their game leaves Northern Ireland clear by a point and on the brink of a shock automatic qualification.
It was a heartbreaking night for the Scots after a brilliant display against the world's best, but it will be their recent defeat to Georgia that will be a wound that fails to heal.
Scotland were brave against the Germans, pushing the group leaders to the limit in a vibrant atmosphere, but Muller and Co. always had enough to get over the finish line.
The other U.K. home nations are all well-placed, with Northern Ireland showing a ruthless streak to gain a point. The Republic will now have to lose their final games to let Scotland back into the play-offs berth, but it looks odds-on for at least one Irish representative to make it to the finals.
