Wales beat N Ireland 1-0 to go through

Euro 2016: Wales 1-0 Northern Ireland highlights

Wales reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 as Gareth McAuley’s own goal gave them victory over Northern Ireland in a tense second-round encounter.

Northern Ireland shackled their opponents with a resolute defensive display and mustered the only two shots on target in a goalless first half.

However, their resistance came to a cruel end when veteran centre-back McAuley turned Gareth Bale’s low, whipped cross into his own net.

Playing in their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, Wales will now face Belgium or Hungary in the last eight in Lille on Friday.

That was the stage at which they were knocked out 58 years ago and, although Chris Coleman’s side were blunted by their dogged opponents, the scrappy nature of victory and the winning goal will matter little to their jubilant fans.

For Northern Ireland, the manner of defeat was galling, particularly for the 63-cap McAuley, who had scored in the 2-0 group win against Ukraine, which had helped his country reach the second round.

Northern Ireland hold firm

Both sides were playing a first match in the knockout stages of a major tournament since each were beaten in the 1958 World Cup quarter-finals.

Parc des Princes was awash with green and red as fans mingled and revelled in the enormity of the occasion – but the match failed to ignite during a cagey first half.

Northern Ireland’s intention to frustrate their opponents was clear, depriving Wales of space with a careful pressing game held together by rigid positional discipline.

They also posed a counter-attacking threat, with one early break leading to a chance for Stuart Dallas, whose shot was saved by Wayne Hennessey.

Bale delivers again

Having beaten Russia so impressively in their final group game, Wales seemed neutered by Northern Ireland’s containing strategy.

Coleman’s men had struggled for goals during qualifying – scoring 11 in 10 matches – and this match demonstrated their occasional shortcomings against well-organised defences.

Bale saw one of his trademark dipping free-kicks saved by Michael McGovern but the Real Madrid forward’s threat in open play was subdued.

That was until the 75th minute, when he unleashed a fizzing ball across the six-yard box and the sliding McAuley helplessly deflected the ball into the net.

This was the first match of the competition in which Bale failed to score, but his major contribution to Wales’ winner was yet another example of the 26-year-old’s ability to rise to the biggest occasions.

Man of the match – James Chester

The defender continued his fine form with an immaculate defensive display of concentration and perfect timing

The stats you need to know

• Wales have reached the quarter-finals as they did in their last major tournament (World Cup 1958).


• Northern Ireland have won none of their past nine games against Wales (D4 L5).


• Wales have lost only two of their nine games at major tournaments.


• Northern Ireland scored an own goal for the first time since October 2011, which was also scored by Gareth McAuley (v Italy).


• There have now been three own goals at Euro 2016, more than any previous European Championship finals.

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Wales beat N Ireland 1-0 to go through
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