Poland stunned world champions Germany 2-0 in Warsaw on Saturday to claim an historic first victory over their neighbours who are now fourth in their Euro 2016 qualifying group.
Ajax striker Arkadiusz Milik gave the hosts the lead on 51 minutes before substitute midfielder Sebastian Mila netted a late second at Warsaw’s National Stadium to inflict Germany’s first defeat in a qualifier for seven years.
Poland’s defender Kamil Glik (C, top), midfielder Sebastian Mila (C, bottom) and forward Arkadiusz Milik (R) celebrate after the Euro 2016 Group D qualifying football match Poland vs Germany in Warsaw,
The Republic of Ireland’s 7-0 drubbing of minnows Gibraltar in Dublin earlier in the day means Germany are now fourth in Group D with Poland top, Ireland second and Scotland third.
Joachim Loew’s Germany have the chance to get their campaign back on track when they host Martin O’Neill’s Ireland in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday, the same night Poland host Scotland.
Poland earned their maiden victory over Germany at the 19th attempt while the Germans had their impressive record of 33 qualifiers without defeat, dating back to a 3-0 defeat to the Czech Republic in October 2007, ended.
Germany’s last away loss in a qualifying match was a 3-0 defeat against Portugal in June 2000 as they stumbled again at Warsaw’s National Stadium, the same venue where they lost the Euro 2012 semi-final to Italy.
Germany have struggled since winning the World Cup in Brazil in July.
They were humbled 4-2 by Argentina in an August friendly, then laboured to a 2-1 win over Scotland last month in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier.
With several stars injured including captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil, Loew handed Bayer Leverkusen’s Karim Bellarabi a start on his debut in a new-look midfield.
Even with retirements and injuries, Loew could still call on six of the side which started the World Cup final.
In Schweinsteiger’s absence, Christoph Kramer partnered Toni Kroos in the defensive midfield with Mario Goetze played in the central attacking midfielder role with Thomas Mueller as a lone striker.
Having routed Gibraltar 7-0 in their previous qualifier, Poland made a confident start and Germany only enjoyed clear chances to test Poland’s Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny towards the end of the first-half.