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| Edited By: Nirmalya Dutta |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Sep 30, 2017, 06:49 AM IST
A dull and drab affair was decided by an own goal from Gareth McAuley who turned in a wicked Gareth Bale cross to give Wales a one-goal lead. The match had all the qualities of League Two game but Wales won’t care. For the first time ever, Wales have reached the quarter-final of a major tournament and there’s no denying that despite this match, Wales deserves to reach the quarter-final. Now they will play either Belgium or Hungary in the semi-final.
First half summary
Northern Ireland have had better chances and Stuart Dallas had a close-range effort saved by Wayne Hennessey and the Wales keeper also pulled off another good stop from Ward’s long-range strike. Ramey finished one from close range but was clearly offside.
Welcome to our live coverage of this all-British affair. Wales v/s Northern Ireland. McGovern, a free agent with a rising star vs Gareth Bale the most expensive player in the world. But Wales is much more than Bale. They've looked impressive throughout but Bale does give them that extra impetus. Not that their opponents Northern Ireland are shirking away from a challenge and were impressive against world champions Germany, losing only 1-0.
Wales
Hennessey; Chester, A Williams, Davies; Gunter, Allen, Ledley, Taylor; Ramsey; Bale, Vokes.
Northern Ireland
McGovern; Hughes, McAuley, Cathcart, J Evans; Ward, Davis, C Evans, Norwood, Dallas; Lafferty.
Referee Martin Atkinson (England).
That's it folks. Wales have reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, for the first time. Wales are through. Gareth Bale's goal-scoring run came to an end but he set up a goal.
90
4 minutes of injury time. Sad that it looks like this was decided by an own goal. Gareth Bale tried to pass the ball to the corner but that was a tad too heavy for Ramsey.
A long throw in, the kind we used to see from Stoke City, into the Welsh box but Hennesey collects it comfortably.
84
If it stays this way, it will be Wales v/s Belgium or Hungary in the semi-final.
83
Ashley Williams just took out his own player. That was a horrible as both of them collided.
79
This is absolutely heart-breaking for Northern Ireland. The ball was from Bale was fantastic.
Goal (75 minutes)
And that’s an own goal from Gareth Mcauley.
Ramsey played to Gareth Bale whose cross was turned in by Gareth McAuley. You gotta feel for this guy.
70
Okay 20 minutes of normal time and then 30 minutes of extra time and then a shootout if it continues this way. Oh and death by boredom might take place before that. Pretty sure the EU are no longer sad about Britain leaving.
Thanks heaven indeed.
For nearly five minutes this match became almost interesting! Thank heavens it's settled back into somniferous dullness again. #WALNIR
— Adam Roberts (@arrroberts) June 25, 2016
63
The Americans, those from the land of Trump, have often claimed that football is a boring game because the score moves so slowly. Today, for a bit, I can see what they are going on about. This match is so utterly lacking in quality that it’s preposterous.
58
Bale goes down and gets another free kick from a distance he usually puts the ball in. That was a brilliant free kick but unlike Joe Hart, McGovern keeps it out. And Bengali boy Neil Taylor (ok half Bengali) gets a yellow card.
Vokes came close, but he should’ve done better. Jumping up to head home, he connected like a headless corpse to send it quite wide. Chris Coleman looks set to send someone on.
45
The second half begins. Steven Davis puts a cross in which is cleared but finds its way back to Davis who has another chance to cross.
Should one give this a try?
Northern Ireland's fans are the bounciest at Euro 2016. You want a cocktail shaken - they'll do it for you.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) June 25, 2016
44
These guys could learn a lesson or two from Switzerland v/s Poland. It has been a tepid first half, like mashed potatoes or baked beans which frankly only the British can tolerate.
41
League 2 quality as they natives say. Surely they can do better.
People are really losing their patience with this match. Not a great exhibition of Britain's football so far but they are out of the EU so we guess the Brits don't really care what the Europeans think.
Can we just put the camera on the crowd? It'll more entertaining than the game. #WALNIR
— Bunny in the Box (@Tomboz7) June 25, 2016
Former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has been on song till now doing a fantastic job on Wales and particularly Bale. The danger however lies in the fact that one mistake is all world-class players need to score a goal.
30
Who will die if Ramsey scores today?
27
Wakes gave 64 percent of the possession but Northern Ireland have been slightly better in the first 25 minutes. Ashley Williams goes crashing down after enthusiastically reaching for a high ball.
25
It's been 0-0 with Ramsey appearing to be on the ball the time. And no it's not because of his hair. It’s been a drab match so far. Where are those pub-style hacks that passed off tackles in British games of yore?
25
It's been 0-0 with Ramsey appearing to be on the ball the time. And no it's not because of his hair. It’s been a drab match so far. Where are those pub-style hacks that passed off tackles in British games of yore?
25
It's been 0-0 with Ramsey appearing to be on the ball the time. And no it's not because of his hair. It’s been a drab match so far. Where are those pub-style hacks that passed off tackles in British games of yore?
18
Finally it looked like Wales had scored but Ramsey was clearly offside. With that blonde hair, he really isn't hard to miss for the linesman.
6
Northern Ireland take a free kick. The ball is played deep into Wales’ box but it comes to nought.
The commentator tells us Northern Ireland haven't beaten Wales since 1980.
3
The Welsh defenders are just passing the ball around at the back.
1
And we are off. Wales in red. Northern Ireland in White and Green.
You'd bet. This is the biggest match between these two British sides. Who's win?
I reffed Wales v N. Ireland in front of about 550 fans at the Aviva a few years ago...a bit different today #WALNIR #EURO2016
— Alan Kelly (@alanrefkelly) June 25, 2016
Are the Irish the happiest people in the world?
For the last couple of days, the news has been about Brexit but it’s time for a more palatable British affair. For those that want to know, the leave campaign triumphed in Wales while remain won in Northern Ireland.
Ok back to our match. Time for the national anthems.
A remarkable match comes to an end. So sad for Shaqiri and Switzerland. Penalty shootouts are hard. Ask England.
That Polish Dortmund player with the big name is now taking the penalty. And he scores.
The coverage is still focussed on Switzerland v/s Poland which has gone to a penalty shoot out.
