World Champions Germany continued their flying ways in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, and they still remain the leaders in the Group D, with just three more points from their next two games needed to seal a direct berth in the finals of the competition in France next year.
Eight games were played on Monday, as teams from Group D, Group F and Group I went at it. None of the sides from any of the three groups qualified for Euro 2016, but the leaders from the respective groups remained in control.
Northern Ireland lead Group F with 17 points, while the undefeated Romania stay second with just a point less. In Group I, Portugal lead the standings with two games to go, while second-placed Denmark are on 12 points, with a game in hand.
Below is a roundup of the games from Monday:
GROUP D
Scotland 2-3 Germany
Scotland's hopes of sealing a berth in the Euro 2016 finals received a huge blow as they lost at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Monday, to remain in the fourth spot, with two games to go. Bayern Munich star forward Thomas Muller scored a brace in the first half to give Germany a 2-1 lead within the first 36 minutes of play, after Mats Hummels had scored an own goal.
Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur scored for the hosts in the 43rd to make it 2-2 at halftime.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan struck the decisive goal for Germany in the 54th minute to ensure the world champions remain leaders in Group D with 19 points.
Poland 8-1 Gibraltar
Robert Lewandowski scored a brace, along with teammates Kamil Grosicki and Arkadiusz Milik, to hand Gibraltar a hammering at the Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw on Monday. Jakub Błaszczykowski and Bartosz Kapustka also scored a goal apiece to make it a perfect day for Poland at home.
The only goal from the visitors came through Jake Gosling, late in the game. The massive win takes Poland to second place in Group D, with 17 points, two behind Germany and two ahead of the Republic of Ireland.
In the other game of the group, Republic of Ireland rode on Jon Walters' solitary goal to stay in contention for a top-two place.
Other game of the Group: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia
GROUP F
Northern Ireland 1-1 Hungary
Hungary were on the verge of their fourth win in eight games in the Euro qualifiers, but a goal at the death from the home side played spoilsport. Richárd Guzmics put the away team in front in the 74th minute of play, but it was former Rangers forward Kyle Lafferty who scored for Northern Ireland in the third minute of added time to give his team a share of the points at Windsor Park in Belfast.
The draw means Michael O'Neill's side are top of the group with 17 points, just a point ahead of Romania, who have remained undefeated in the qualifiers following eight games. Hungary stay third on 13 points.
Other game of the Group: Romania 0-0 Greece, Finland 1-0 Faroe Islands
GROUP I
Albania 0-1 Portugal
Miguel Veloso's goal at the death ensured that Portugal remain top of the group, with two games to go.
The side, led by Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, have now acquired 15 points from six matches, and have almost sealed a berth to the Euro 2016 finals in France next year. Denmark remain the second-best team in the group with 12 points from seven matches, while Albania are third with 11 points from six games.
Other game of the Group: Armenia 0-0 Denmark
