Poland recorded a first win over Germany with a hard-earned 2-0 triumph in yesterday’s Euro 2016 Group D qualifier in Warsaw.
The recent World Cup winners – who last lost a qualifying tie some 33 matches ago against the Czech Republic in October 2007 – had dominated for long spells, but could not find a way past Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Germany piled on the pressure after falling behind against the run of play to Arkadiusz Milik’s header on 51 minutes, and almost snatched an equaliser when a fierce volley from substitute Lukas Podolski rattled the crossbar.
Poland, though, were not to be denied victory over Germany at the 19th attempt when substitute Sebastian Mila slotted in a second with two minutes left as the National Stadium erupted.
It was a bright start by the world champions, but they faced a Poland side who comfortably defended in numbers, leaving the Germans trying their luck from range.
Germany should have gone ahead on 36 minutes. Christoph Kramer clipped a ball through the Poland penalty area from the left, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Karim Bellarabi was inches away from opening his international account when he dragged an angled drive just wide after ghosting in at the back post.
Poland, who held Germany to a goalless draw in Hamburg in May, snatched the lead on 51 minutes.
Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek floated a ball into the Germa- ny area from the right, and as goalkeeper Manuel Neuer came flying out to punch it clear, Ajax forward Milik nipped in front to glance a header into the far corner.
Poland, then delivered a knockout blow on the counter in the 88th minute.
Lewandowski held off defender Erik Durm before laying the ball through to Mila, who steered the ball past Neuer to cap an historic night in Warsaw for Adam Nawalka’s industrious side.
Poland have a 100 per cent record in the pool along with the Republic of Ireland, who built on last month’s win over Georgia with a 7-0 rout of UEFA’s newest member Gibraltar.
Robbie Keane plundered a hattrick for the Irish, scoring three times inside 12 first-half minutes before he and his team-mates had even broken sweat. James McClean then added a second-half double, either side of keeper Jordan Perez’s own goal, and Wes Hoolahan capped a fine individual display with the seventh with 59 minutes gone.
Scotland picked up their first three qualifying points with a nervy 1-0 win over Georgia at Ibrox. The home side were undoubtedly the better team but it took a 27th minute own goal from defender Akaki Khubutiato bring victory to Gordon Strachan’s side.
Northern Ireland are the unlikely pacesetters in Group F after picking up their second successive win in qualifying against the Faroe Islands. First-half finishes from Gareth McAuley and Kyle Lafferty eased them to a 2-0 victory to give Michael O’Neill’s side their best start to a campaign since 1968.
Denmark lead the way in Group I but needed a late goal from Lasse Vibe to earn a 1-1 draw in Albania.
