Wales are through to the quarterfinals after beating Northern Ireland 1-0 at Parc des Princes in Paris on Saturday. Who would have thought that at the start of the tournament?
An own goal from Gareth McAuley in the 75th min broke the deadlock between the two sides. Wales will now face the winner of Hungary vs Belgium in the next round.
The first half was really poor. Although there was an intensity in the approach of both the teams, but at the same time there was an acute lack of quality, as both the teams failed to create enough goal scoring opportunities.
Northern Ireland were probably the better side of the two, but individual brilliance trumped the team: Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were the two outstanding performers for Wales, with the former, a reported £94 Manchester United target, producing a sensation cross that created the decisive own goal from McAuley.
Check some of the reactions from the fans on Twitter:
You did us all proud @NorthernIreland. It’s only the beginning, let’s get to the World Cup in 2018 #GAWA
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 25, 2016
What a poor game of crosses, long balls & set pieces lacking quality. The winner summed it up: an own goal resulting from a cross. #WALNIR
— Abhijit Bharali (@blowmeoffaridge) June 25, 2016
Will Grigg? If not him then who? If not now then when? #WAL #NIR ???
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) June 25, 2016
McAuley had no choice. He had to go for it. #NorthernIreland #Euros2016
— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) June 25, 2016
1 – #NIR have scored an own goal for the first time since October 2011, which was also scored by Gareth McAuley (v Italy). Whoops.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 25, 2016
Bale>Ronaldo. I dare you to tell I am wrong and support it with stats and facts.
— Heath Pearce (@HeathGPearce) June 25, 2016
Check out the all-important goal of the match below.
https://streamable.com/4ysz
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