Poland record famous win over Germany
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
The Stadion Narodowy erupted into a chorus of “Polska Bialo Czerwoni” as the White Eagles finally registered a victory over fierce historic rivals Germany in senior competition. Goals from Ajax’s Arkadiusz Milik and Sebastian Mila of Slask Wroclaw handed Poland their most famous triumph since the great Boniek sides of the 70’s and 80’s got to the latter stages of the World Cup.
Elsewhere in Group D, the Republic of Ireland ran out easy and convincing winners over lowly Gibraltar. Talismanic skipper Robbie Keane bagged a hat trick, James McClean added a brace, with a comical own goal from the unfortunate visiting keeper and a Wes Hoolahan effort rounding off a memorable victory for Martin O’Neill’s charges. This will give them confidence heading to Gelsenkirchen to face the wounded World Champions on Tuesday.
Scotland also tasted victory in Group D thanks to an own goal from Georgia’s Akaki Khubutia at Ibrox. Striker Steven Fletcher told UEFA.com after the game: “Relief is the overriding feeling. It was a good performance. We are happy with the way we played and obviously we're delighted to get the three points. If we had got the second [goal], it would have been a bit more comfortable, but we're just happy to get the three points. We've got them on the board now and we can look forward to the next match.”
Northern Ireland sit alone atop Group F after a timid two nil victory over group minnows the Faroe Islands at Windsor Park. Goals in the opening 20 minutes from West Bromwich Albion’s Gareth McAuley and Norwich City’s Kyle Lafferty ensure Michael O’Neill’s men end match day two at the top of the pile.
The Ulstermen are being closely followed by Finland, who were rescued by a stunning second half volley from Jarkko Hurme cancelling out the first half effort of Greece’s Nikos Karelis in Helsinki. The result does however give Greece their first point leading into the visit to Athens of Northern Ireland.
Hungary took the first step to getting their qualifying campaign back on track, a goal eight minutes from time by Balazs Dzsudzsak snatched a point against a Romania side who had taken a first half lead through Raul Rusescu. Romania skipper Razvan Rat had this to say to UEFA.com after the stalemate: “It isn't a fair result because Hungary did not figure until the 82nd minute when they scored the goal – they did not manage to reach our level. That's why it is a big disappointment for us, because we really dropped points.
“I wouldn't agree that we were better in the first half and the Hungarians dominated the second, because except for the goal from the free-kick and their big opportunity in the last minute they didn't have any chances. I would say that football gave them too much tonight and they really didn't deserve to draw in Bucharest.”
A Zoran Tosic goal one minute from time meant that Serbia escaped Yerevan with a point against a Heinrich Mikitarian less Armenia side. The home side took the lead Robert Arzumanyan and could have doubled that 8 minutes from time but Marcos Pizzelli missed a penalty to allow Serbia to rescue the affair through the CSKA Moskva wingers late goal.
Group I’s proceedings were rounded off in dramatic fashion as Lasse Vibe’s 81st minute goal was enough to deny Albania a famous win over Denmark. The Baltic side took the advantage through Ermir Lenjani’s first half goal before substitute Vibe ensured that the two sides now lay alongside each other atop the Group I ladder.
The Group Tables
