PARIS, France (AFP) — World champions Germany secured their place at Euro 2016 despite labouring to a 2-1 win at home to Georgia yesterday, while Poland also qualified for next summer’s finals after beating the Republic of Ireland 2-1.

Germany needed just a point against Georgia in Leipzig to guarantee themselves a top-two finish in Group D, but Max Kruse’s 79th-minute winner ensured Joachim Loew’s men progressed as group winners.

Thomas Mueller had given Germany the lead shortly after half-time, converting a penalty for his ninth goal in the qualifiers, before it was cancelled out almost immediately by Jaba Kankava.

Robert Lewandowski equalled former Northern Ireland striker David Healy’s 13-goal record for a single European Championship qualifying campaign as Poland claimed second place in Group D.

In the group’s other game, Scotland finished their unsuccessful campaign with a 6-0 mauling of Gibraltar in Portugal.

Earlier, Albania qualified for their first major international tournament as they beat Armenia 3-0, while Romania also booked their place at the finals after a 3-0 win in the Faroe Islands.