EURO 2016 Qualifications: Spectacular goal from Matic not enough for point in Portugal, Late goal by Republic of Ireland gives Germany and Scotland a chance in Group D

Monday, March 30, 2015

EURO 2016 Qualifications: Spectacular goal from Matic not enough for point in Portugal, Late goal by Republic of Ireland gives Germany and Scotland a chance in Group D

EURO 2015 Overview:

Last day of EURO 2016 Qualifications we saw games from teams in Group D, F and I.

Group D: Poland gift Germany and Scotland after a draw in Dublin

In Tbilisi Germany beat Georgia without any big problems. In the 90 minutes Georgia had only two shots toward German goalkeeper Neuer while Germany had 16 goal attempts. Germany solves everything just before the end of first half, first in 38’ Marco Reus scored for Germany lead and only six minutes later Thomas Muller scored 2^nd goal for Germany. Germany could score more goals but Marco Reus shots hit the crossbar two times.

In Glasgow Scotland didn’t have any big problems against worst team in the group Gibraltar. Steven Fletcher scored hat trick, Maloney scored two and Naismith scored ones. For guests Casciaro scored the only goal in this game.

Leader of the group Poland lost two points in Dublin. Peszko bring Poland in the lead in 26’ after a good shot from the inside of the box. Poland was leading until the last moments of the game when Shane Long scored after a corner kick. With this draw Poland gives a chance to Germany and Scotland to come on only 1 point behind Poland.

Poland 11 pts

Germany 10 pts

Scotland 10 pts

Republic of Ireland 8 pts

Georgia 3 pts

Gibraltar 0 pts

Group F: Greece still last team in group

In Belfast Northern Ireland manage to win against Finland and to keep pace with Romania on the top of Group F. Hero for Northern Ireland was Lafferty who scored two quick goals first in 33’ and then in 38’. Finland got better ball possession but they couldn’t find a way into Northern Ireland goal. In 91’ of the game Sadik finally manages to find a way and to score only goal for Finland in this game.

In Ploiesti everyone expect easy Romania win against Faroe Islands, but even Romania had better ball possession and more goal attempts at the end they manage to score only one goal. In 21’ by Keseru scored the winner from close range.

Hungary and Greece draw in Budapest. Greece was slightly better team but still not better enough to deserve a victory in this game.

Romania 13 pts

Northern Ireland 12 pts

Hungary 8 pts

Finland 4 pts

Faroe Islands 3 pts

Greece 2 pts

Group I: Portugal beat Serbia, Albania manage to get three points with late goals

Serbia has suffered another defeat in EURO 2016 qualifications. Even this defeat comes from a hand of much stronger Portugal; Serbia is currently last team in group. In a decent game Portugal manage to get slightly better ball possession but goal attempts were even. Carvalho bring Portugal in the lead in 10’ after good combination from a corner kick. In 61’ Matic scored spectacular goal for 1-1 but only two minutes later Fabio Coentrao scored second goal for Portugal.

In second game from this group Albania manage to beat Armenia with two late goals. Armenia surprises everyone at Elbasan Arena when Movsisyan scored for lead in 4’. Albania got ball control but they couldn’t make and good chances to score equalizer. Finally in 77’ Mavraj scored equalizer and then only four minutes later Gashi scored the winner for Albania.