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Romania secure Euro 2016 ticket with win in Faroe Islands

Sixteen teams, including hosts France, are now assured of a place in the expanded 24-team finals.

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Portugal, already through as group winners, registered their seventh successive qualifying victory as they overcame nine-man Serbia 2-1 in Belgrade.

Joachim Loew’s men will book their tickets to France by avoiding defeat, while Poland and the Republic of Ireland meet in Warsaw with both countries still chasing an automatic qualification berth. Grzegorz Krychowiak’s put the home side ahead in the 13th minute, but Jonathan Walters’ penalty three minutes later gave hope to Ireland.

Constantin Budescu, who replaced the ineffective Claudio Keseru in Romania’s starting lineup, scored twice before the break and nearly grabbed a hat-trick in the second half.

Follow LIVE action as Greece face Hungary in Euro 2016 Qualifiers.

Budescu opened the scoring in the fourth minute in rain-soaked Torshavn and added another with a cross-shot on the stroke of half-time.

The Albanians clinched second place in Group I with a deserved 0-3 win against Armenia in Yerevan, the final whistle setting off massive celebrations in Tirana, with thousands of people gathering in the city’s main square.

The Hungarians will have to hope that the Faroe Islands hold Romania to a shock draw if their aspirations of making the top two in this group are to come to fruition – with a win against Greece the only thing that can see them finish ahead of their neighbours and rivals.

A point was still enough for Northern Ireland to finish top of the group, though, becoming the first ever fifth seed to do so.

Northern Ireland drew 1-1 with Finland in Helsinki after allowing a late equalizer by Paulus Arajuuri.

Thursday’s win over Greece had already guaranteed a trip to France next summer, but manager Michael O’Neill was desperate to finish the job as pool winners.

In group F Romania booked its place at the Euro’s thanks to a 3-0 win against Faroe Islands.

Hungary finished third in the group, four points behind Romania, and will have another chance to reach the finals through the playoffs if it doesn’t finish as the best third-placed team.

The visitors were without the rested Cristiano Ronaldo but took a fifth-minute lead through stand-in skipper Nani as the ex-Manchester United winger converted the rebound after Danny’s shot was saved by Vladimir Stojkovic.

Aleksandar Kolarov was sent off for protesting that the goal should not have stood and then in the 81st minute, Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic was also shown a red card for swiping his arm at Andre Andre during an aerial duel. Serbia were not level for long as Joao Moutinho’s delightful curling shot after 78 minutes restored Portugal’s lead.

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However, three minutes later, Tachtsidis made a defense-splitting pass to Costas Mitroglou who made it 3-3 before Kone scored the victor from Jose Holebas’ cross.

Romania claim Euro 2016 ticket with Faroes win