West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph could only help the Republic of Ireland secure a 2016 European Championships play-off place during the international break after deputising for the injured Shay Given.
Brought on after a knee injury to Given against world champions Germany on Thursday evening, Randolph assisted Shane Long’s winner in a 1-0 success in Dublin.
That set up a nervy shoot-out in Poland for automatic qualification on Sunday.
A win or a 2-2 draw would have seen the Boys in Green through but Randolph and co. were beaten 2-1, sending the Poles through in their place.
They will now face the lottery of the play-offs for a place at next summer’s European Championships in France.
James Collins was an unused substitute as Wales qualified for a tournament for the first time since the 1958 World Cup.
The centre-back did not feature in a 2-1 loss in Bosnia & Herzegovina, though Israel’s defeat by Cyprus sent Wales to France regardless.
Chris Coleman’s side host Andorra in a dead rubber on Tuesday.
Senegalese pair Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho will hope to be involved in a friendly with Algeria on Tuesday.
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