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Reuters

Striker Robert Lewandowski scored the winner to secure Poland a place at Euro 2016 with a 2-1 victory in Warsaw on Sunday that consigned a battling Ireland side to the playoffs.
Lewandowski’s header just before halftime in the Group D match was his 15th goal in the last six games for his club Bayern Munich and country.
He also equalled Northern Ireland forward David Healy’s scoring record for a Euro qualifying campaign with 13 goals.

READ > All our Euro 2016 coverage 
Ireland, who finished with 10 men after captain John O’Shea was shown a second yellow card, needed to win or draw by at least 2-2 to steal second spot behind world champions Germany.
Poland went ahead in the 13th minute as midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak fired home from outside the area after a corner.
Jon Walters equalised for Ireland three minutes later after defender Michal Pazdan brought down Shane Long.

"I have to tell you I’m so proud," Lewandowski shouted through a microphone to fans wearing a red and white "Vive la Pologne 2016" T-shirt while his team mates uncorked champagne on the pitch.
"The Irish team did not create any real opportunities. We deserved to advance, we were the better team and played a good qualifying round," he said.
Poland co-hosted the 2012 tournament with Ukraine and will be playing in their third straight Euro finals.

Ireland, who finished third on 18 points behind Poland with 21 and Germany on 22, head for the playoffs hoping to replicate the form they showed in beating Germany 1-0 earlier this week.
"I think the message is still pretty clear. We’re still there but we have two games to go," coach Martin O’Neill said.

"The win with Germany gave us a lift, but we didn’t have the same intensity. Players were ready, but it was hard to replicate it away against a good Polish side."
Asked if Lewandowski could win the Ballon D’or world footballer of the year award, he said: "Yeah, very possibly. A very fine player. I say that he is a world class player and he knows the game. Poland must be delighted to have him."
 
Most goals scored in a European championship qualifying competition:
13: Robert Lewandowski, Poland (Euro 2016); David Healy, Northern Ireland (Euro 2008)
12: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Netherlands (Euro 2012); Davor Suker, Croatia (Euro 1996)
11: Raul, Spain (Euro 2000); Toni Polster, Austria (Euro 1996); Ole Madsen, Denmark (Euro 1964)
10: Eduardo, Croatia (Euro 2008); Hristo Stoichkov, Bulgaria (Euro 1996); Darko Pancev, Macedonia (Euro 1992)


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2016 Uefa European Championship (Euro 2016)

15 goals in 6 games as Robert Lewandowski fires Poland to Euro 2016 – is he world’s best striker right now?

Lewandowski shouts into a camera. Photo: Reuters 

Lewandowski celebrates with a t-shirt reading 'Vive la Pologne'. Photo: AFP

Lewandowski heads home. Photo: Reuters

Lewandowski speaks to fans after the win. Photo: Reuters

Robert Lewandowski celebrates Poland's qualification. Photo: Reuters

You’ll see real Germany in France, warns boss Loew as world champs book Euro 2016 ticket with unconvincing win

Joachim Loew was not best pleased with his team's last two performances. Photo: AFP

Thomas Mueller celebrates his goal. Photo: AP

Jaba Kankava scores for Georgia. Photo: Reuters

Max Kruse celebrates scoring. Photo: EPA

Max Hummels tackles Georgia's Tornike Okriashvili. Photo: Reuters

Albania reach first ever major tournament, as Germany, Romania and Poland also seal Euro 2016 places

Poland celebrate qualification. Photo: AP

Robert Lewandowski celebrates. Photo: Reuters 

Max Kruse celebrates scoring for Germany. Photo: EPA

Thomas Mueller scores from the spot for Germany. Photo: AP

Kosovo Albanians waving Albania's national flag celebrate Albania's soccer victory in Kosovo's capital Pristina. Photo: AP

Sport

Football

Bayern Munich star matches Euro qualifying goalscoring record as he seals win over Ireland
