Paris: Robert Lewandowski scored a European qualifying record 16th goal as Poland defeated Montenegro 4-2 to reach next year’s World Cup, while reigning champions Germany secured a 10th successive win.
Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski struck again in what has been a remarkable qualifying campaign as Poland recovered from throwing away a two-goal lead in Warsaw to secure a first trip to the World Cup finals since 2006.
“I was angry. We were leading 2-0 at home and then let them equalise for two-all. We had to score that third goal to calm things down,” said Lewandowski after the game.
Krzysztof Maczynski and Kamil Grosicki struck early as Poland made a dream start, but Montenegro hit back through goals from Stefan Mugosa and Zarko Tomasevic to pull level with just seven minutes left.
Lewandowski restored Poland’s advantage on 85 minutes before a late own goal from Filip Stojkovic sealed victory.
Germany made it 10 wins from 10 in Group C after routing Azerbaijan 5-1 in Kaiserslautern to join Spain as the only nation in history to finish a European World Cup qualifying campaign with a perfect record.
Leon Goretzka’s opening goal was negated by Ramil Sheydaev on 34 minutes, but Sandro Wagner and Antonio Ruediger scored after half time before Goretzka notched his second and Emre Can complete the victory.
Northern Ireland slid to a 0-1 defeat to Norway in Oslo after an own goal by Chris Brunt, but Michael O’Neill’s men were already guaranteed a berth in the play-offs after earlier results.
Meanwhile Scotland’s campaign ended after they played out a 2-2 draw at Slovenia. Leigh Griffiths and Robert Snodgrass scored for Scotland while Roman Bezjak got both the goals for the hosts. Both sides finished with 18 points each, but Slovenia’s better goal average saw them clinch a play-off berth while Scotland were left home and dry.
England won 1-0 away to Lithuania to conclude an unbeaten campaign as Harry Kane scored a 27th-minute spot-kick won by Tottenham Hotspur teammate Dele Alli. This was Kane’s ninth goal in five games.
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