Northern Ireland will qualify for the final 16 of EURO 2016. Turkey’s 2-0 win over the Czech Republic ensured that two other 3rd place teams have worse records than the men in green.
A 1-0 defeat to Germany ensured Northern Ireland would finish third in their group behind Germany and Poland. Under EURO2016 rules, the four 3rd placed sides with the best records will progress. Northern Ireland’s record was above Albania’s at full time in Paris, and they needed one more side in a 3rd place to fall below them. Three hours later, Turkey beat the Czech Republic 2-0.
With Turkey now joining Albania with a worse record, Northern Ireland are guaranteed to be among the best four sides finishing third.
Germany topped the group with Poland second. The Poles will now play Switzerland. Germany will play a 3rd placed side in Lille.
Mario Gomez scored the game’s only goal in the first half, but only string of saves by Michael McGovern prevented a hatful of goals.
Joshua Kimmich and Mario Gomez in for Germany. Northern Ireland were unchanged from the side that beat Ukraine.
The first half was a one way procession with chances raining in on the Northern Irish goal. It stared in the 8th minute when McGovern produced his first save to deny Thomas Mueller, replays showing the full scale of the Hamilton keeper’s personal sacrifice!
Two minutes later, McGovern blocked a shot from Mesut Ozil followed by a third save from Goetze on 12 minutes. Mueller narrowly shot past the post in the 23rd minute, two minutes before N. Ireland’s only chance of the half, Jamie Ward shooting to straight at Manuel Neuer. Then Mueller headed onto the post.
The Irish FA celebrate their achievement
The only goal came when an overly precise German offence did something more direct. Mueller ran into the Irish area and was practically on top of McGovern. Rather than shoot and see another effort blocked, he laid the ball back for Gomez. Gareth McAuley’s block was just not enough to prevent the ball crossing the line.
Mueller hit the bar ten minutes before half time but that really signified the end of the German menace.
Seven minutes after the break , Aaron Hughes didn’t see Goetze behind him but McGovern saved again with his right hand.
They did not know it at the time but that was enough to see Northern Ireland through to a historic and unlikely qualification.
The Green and White Army will play either France on June 26 or Wales on June 25 depending on other results.
EURO2016
Germany
