European Championship 2016 Qualifiers: Winners and Losers from Thursday Games
It was an eventful night to say the least in Thursday's Euro 2016 qualifiers.
The world champions lost, two more teams clinched places in France and a late, late goal broke Scottish hearts in Glasgow.
First, the good news for Northern Ireland and Portugal. Both countries won on home soil to make sure they will be at next summer's tournament.
Germany, though, missed the chance to secure their spot, going down 1-0 away in the Republic of Ireland.
They remain favourites to win Group D, though Poland and Ireland could pip them as the battle for the two automatic places goes down to the wire.
Albania are still in control of their destiny despite a 2-0 defeat at home to Serbia.
It was the first meeting of the rival nations since the corresponding fixture was abandoned due to players and fans fighting on the field.
Here Bleacher Report picks out the winners and losers from the fixtures.
Winners: Northern Ireland
1 of 6
Northern Ireland can now start planning for a trip to France next summer.
A 3-1 home win over Greece at Windsor Park, Belfast, means Michael O’Neill’s side are certain to qualify from Group F.
Steven Davis' two goals sandwiched a header from Josh Magennis as Northern Ireland made sure they would be attending their first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup.
They have never graced a European Championships before, so expect them to make the most of their maiden appearance.
It has been an astonishing campaign for O'Neill, as journalist Andy Mitten pointed out on Twitter, "Michael O'Neill took 10 games to get first win as N Ireland manager, 19 games for second. Only lost twice in 11 since. Incredible turnaround."
Losers: Albania
2 of 6
Albania missed a glorious chance to move into the second automatic qualifying spot in Group I.
A 2-0 home defeat against Serbia was not the result manager Gianni De Biasi and his players had hoped for, particularly on a night when Denmark, who sit in second place, were beaten away in Portugal.
They looked set to at least move level on points with the Danes when the game in Elbasan, Albania, was scoreless going into the closing stages.
However, late goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Adem Ljajic meant Serbia clinched just their second victory of a disappointing campaign.
In a tense atmosphere—with security levels high after the issues in the first encounter between the countries—the home team lost their nerve, and a point, at the end.
Still, Albania just needs to beat Armenia on October 11 to secure their place at Euro 2016.
Winners: Republic of Ireland
3 of 6
The last time Germany travelled to the Republic of Ireland, in October 2012, they scored six goals against their hosts in a World Cup qualifier.
Move forward three years and the reigning world champions couldn’t even manage one.
The Irish defended stoutly for long periods of the game before catching their opponents out with a long ball over the top.
Substitute Shane Long latched on to the punt down field and kept his cool, firing a right-footed shot beyond Manuel Neuer in the Germany goal.
The unlikely win, coupled with the 2-2 draw between Scotland and Poland, means Ireland are certain of at least a play-off berth.
However, they could yet qualify automatically. They travel for a winner-takes-all showdown against Poland, who currently sit above Ireland only on goal difference.
Losers: Germany
4 of 6
Germany turned up in Dublin to play the Republic of Ireland knowing a win would book their passage to France.
But perhaps they should have realised it wasn’t going to be their night from the moment midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger suffered an injury in the warm-up, per Simon Jones of the Mail.
They also lost Mario Gotze in the first half, though they were still the team seemingly most likely to score with each minute that passed.
Yet despite their long periods of dominance and control of possession, they were caught cold when Shane Long escaped in the 70th minute to break the deadlock.
According to MisterChip on Twitter, "Germany has lost 2 matches in a Euro qualifier. That hasn’t happened in 32 years."
Germany still controls their own destiny—they host Georgia in their final qualifier—but their serene route to Euro 2016 suffered an unexpected bump in the road on Thursday.
Winners: Portugal
5 of 6
It may not have been pretty at times (seen as they have scored only nine goals in seven qualifying games), but Portugal will be going to Euro 2016.
They only needed a point at home to Denmark yet secured all three thanks to a second-half goal from midfielder Joao Moutinho.
The Portuguese are certain to finish on top of Group I even with one game still to go.
Cristiano Ronaldo was kept quiet by the Danes, but his team-mates stepped up for their captain.
An international tournament can lose something when the biggest stars are absent—France will be better off for Ronaldo's presence next summer.
Losers: Scotland
6 of 6
As the game moved into injury time at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, the home side were on course for a crucial victory.
Having trailed 1-0 to an early goal from Poland, Gordon Strachan’s side turned the situation around thanks to stunning long-range efforts from Matt Ritchie and Steven Fletcher.
They were on course for a win that would keep their qualification hopes alive as they entered the final few seconds of injury time.
But, a flat free-kick for Poland was allowed to drift all the way through and strike the post, with Robert Lewandowski reacting the quickest to stab home his second of the night and his 12th of the campaign.
With the last kick of the game, Lewandowski had secured a 2-2 draw and, in the process, killed off Scotland’s slim chances of making it to France.
