The Republic of Ireland will have to navigate the playoffs in order to reach Euro 2016 after being beaten 2-1 by Poland in their final group match this evening.

Robert Lewandowski's winning goal consigned Martin O'Neill's men to third spot in Group D, with Germany and Poland sealing automatic berths for next year's tournament.

Poland's midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak scores a goal during the Euro 2016 Group D qualifying football match between Poland and the Republic of Ireland at the Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw on October 11, 2015. © Getty Images

The Poles were the first to threaten when Kamil Grosicki saw his effort turned behind by Darren Randolph after a scramble inside the box.

From the resulting corner the hosts took the lead, as Grzegorz Krychowiak was picked out on the edge of the box by Grosicki and fired a half-volley into the bottom corner.

However, Ireland were awarded a penalty just three minutes later when Michal Pazdan caught Shane Long with a high foot inside the box.

Jonathan Walters took the resulting spot kick and he held his nerve to slot a low effort into the corner and beyond the reach of Lukasz Fabianski.

Poland soon thought that they had retaken the lead when Krzysztof Maczynski drilled in a low strike, but his effort was ruled out as Lewandowski was standing in an offside position and was deemed to be interfering with play.

Ireland's midfielder Robbie Brady (L) and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski vie during the Euro 2016 Group D qualifying football match between Poland and the Republic of Ireland at the Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw on October 11, 2015. © Getty Images

With three minutes of the first half remaining, Lewandowski arrived to power in a header from Maczynski's cross to score his 13th goal of the qualifying campaign and give Poland the lead heading into the break.

Ireland looked for a response after the interval, but they almost fell two goals behind when Kamil Grosicki burst through the middle and had to be denied by the on-rushing Randolph.

Krychowiak then placed a header wide when found unmarked from a corner, before a last-ditch tackle from Seamus Coleman stopped Lewandowski from going clear.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes Ireland had a golden chance to equalise, but Richard Keogh saw his free header beaten away by Fabianski.

The visitors continued to press for a late goal that would send them through, but they were unable to create any more chances and they finished the evening with 10 men after John O'Shea was sent off for picking up a second bookable offence.