Summary

  • Northern Ireland's best ever start

  • Poland 2-2 Scotland

  • Germany 1-1 Republic of Ireland

  • John O'Shea levels in injury-time

  1. Latest scores and resultspublished at 19:05 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    So Spain's era of dominance in world football is completely over now. The national team could not get out of their World Cup group in Brazil in the summer, and now their Under-21 team have failed to qualify for the European Championship in 2015.

    They drew the first leg 0-0 in Serbia, but slumped to a 2-1 home defeat in the second leg.

    IscoImage source, Reuters

    The Spanish line-up included Liverpool full-back Javier Manquillo, Stoke midfielder Marc Muniesa, winger Gerard Deulofeu, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Everton last year, and Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco (pictured).

    Elsewhere, Portugal won a thrilling second leg 5-4 to defeat Netherlands 7-4 on aggregate. Germany beat Ukraine 3-0 in the second leg, to seal a convincing 5-0 aggregate success. Iceland and Denmark are currently goalless, and could be heading into extra-time.

  2. Player reactionpublished at 18:58 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Injured Southampton and England Under-21 midfielder James Ward-Prowse:, external We are going to the Euros! Can't wait for the Under-21 tournament in Czech Republic. Buzzing for the boys, great job.

  3. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 18:58 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Bflo Celtic:, external After Robertson's fantastic performance on Saturday, I'm surprised he's not starting. I don't rate Whittaker highly, either.

    Dalmasus Littlerench:, external A nation says "Whittaker - what?!"

  4. Team newspublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Scotland make two changes to the side that started against Georgia. Defender Gordon Greer replaces the injured Grant Hanley, while full-back Steven Whittaker comes in for Andrew Robertson in a tactical change by Gordon Strachan.

    Ikechi Anya is fit to face the Poles despite being rated doubtful.

    Scotland starting XI: Marshall, Hutton, R Martin, Greer, Whittaker, Brown, Morrison, Maloney, Naismith, Anya, S Fletcher.

    Ikechi AnyaImage source, Getty Images

    What do you think of the Scotland line-up? Text 80295, tweet using #bbcfootball or @bbcthomasmcg.

  5. Team newspublished at 18:51 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Two changes for world champions Germany from Saturday's shock 2-0 defeat in Poland. Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle and Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Christoph Kramer are both injured and are replaced by Schalke's Julian Draxler and Borussia Dortmund's Matthias Ginter.

    Germany starting XI: Neuer, Rudiger, Hummels, Boateng, Durm, Ginter, Kroos, Bellarabi, Gotze, Draxler, Muller.

    As expected, Stoke striker Jon Walters returns to the Republic of Ireland side. Martin O'Neill makes two other changes from the thumping 7-0 win against Gibraltar, midfielders Glenn Whelan and Stephen Quinn given the nod.

    Republic of Ireland starting XI: Forde, Meyler, O'Shea, Wilson, Ward, McGeady, Whelan, Quinn, McClean, Keane, Walters.

    Jon WaltersImage source, Reuters
  6. Get involvedpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Charles Rigden:, external Harry Kane looks like he could give Rickie Lambert a run for his money in that 'Big Man' role that England have in their squad.

  7. FULL-TIMEpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    And that's it. Job well done. England qualify for the European Under-21 Championship in Czech Republic. Jack Butland's early save to deny Croatia taking a third-minute lead proved crucial.

    Liam Moore's close-range volley put Gareth Southgate's side ahead, Marko Livaja equalised just before half-time, but England looked comfortable after the break.

    Will Hughes scored the second goal of the day for the visitors to ease any nerves and England can now prepare to take on the continent's best youngsters next year.

  8. Euro U21 flashbackpublished at 18:45 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    England Under 21
  9. Get involvedpublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Peter Collins: Re Greg (71 min). While Hughes does have a big future, it would be nice to see him develop at Derby. He won't get near the Man Utd team at the moment.

  10. Player reactionpublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Injured Southampton and England Under-21 midfielder James Ward-Prowse:, external What a finish Hughessyyy!!

  11. Postpublished at 18:42 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Will Hughes
  12. Player reactionpublished at 18:36 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    England Under-21 and Burnley defender Nathaniel Chalobah:, external Yes Will, what a finish lad. Almost there boys.

  13. Postpublished at 18:34 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Alistair Bruce Ball thinks it is all over and what Hughes's goal - his second for England U21s - has done is mean there cannot be extra-time. If Croatia score two more, then England would still progress on away goals. Croatia need three goals and have got 15 minutes to get them.

    Not impossible, but very tricky.

  14. Postpublished at 18:32 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Alistair Bruce-Ball
    BBC Sport

    "It has been an even second half, both teams have had chances, but that goal is vital. It is pretty safe to say that England Under-21s will be qualifying for their fifth successive European Championships."

  15. GOALpublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Well, Greg may want him at Old Trafford, but Will Hughes's price tag may have just gone up a notch.

    The Derby midfielder, who has been excellent tonight, twists and turns on the edge of the penalty area to create some space for a shot and he arrows an effort past Dominik Livakovic and into the bottom corner.

  16. Get involvedpublished at 18:29 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Greg, Sale: Will Hughes best player on pitch. Would love him at Manchester United, big future ahead.

  17. Postpublished at 18:28 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Twenty minutes to go. England are inching their way closer to Euro 2015. The players are working hard, and stifling Croatia's attacking flair. But, remember, all it takes is one goal from Croatia and we will have extra-time. Two goals for the hosts and England are out.

    How are your nerves holding up?

  18. Postpublished at 18:26 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Germany v IrelandImage source, @DFB_TEAM/TWITTER

    German FA:, external Here's a look inside the tunnel at the Veltins Arena - 90 minutes until kick-off!

    Looks a bit spooky if you ask me. Can Republic of Ireland shock the world champions later?

  19. Get involvedpublished at 18:24 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Rob, Manchester: Re Matt, 47 mins, I know we're not the dominant force we once were but surely Manchester United are still classed as a big club, and have Shaw, Keane and Blackett who are all England U21 players.

  20. Calm before the stormpublished at 18:22 British Summer Time 14 October 2014

    Alasdair Lamont in Warsaw
    BBC Sport

    Those little ant-like creatures down there are a few of the Scotland players on the pitch of National Stadium, Warsaw.

    Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw

    Full live text commentary of Poland v Scotland will be coming later on tonight. You will also be able to hear full commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Scotland.