Simon Church and Wales reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 after a 1-0 victory over Lee Hodson’s Northern Ireland.
Wales and Northern Ireland went head-to-head for a place in the Last 16 on Saturday evening – the first time two home nations had met in the knockout stages of a major tournament.
Both Church and Hodson were unused substitutes for their respective sides, while former Dons Jonny Williams, George Williams and Will Grigg were also on the bench.
Michael O’Neill’s Northern Irish side arguably shaded the contest and did well to deny Wales’ attacking threat, namely Gareth Bale who went into the game having scored three goals in three games.
In fact, Wales went into the final 20 minutes having only had one shot on target but Northern Ireland’s resistance was broken when centre-back Gareth McAuley turned Bale’s fierce cross into his own net under pressure from Hal Robson-Kanu.
Wales’ slender win means they will face Belgium in the quarter-finals on Friday evening, while Northern Ireland exit with their heads held high.
Both Church and Hodson were unused substitutes for their respective sides, while former Dons Jonny Williams, George Williams and Will Grigg were also on the bench.
Michael O’Neill’s Northern Irish side arguably shaded the contest and did well to deny Wales’ attacking threat, namely Gareth Bale who went into the game having scored three goals in three games.
In fact, Wales went into the final 20 minutes having only had one shot on target but Northern Ireland’s resistance was broken when centre-back Gareth McAuley turned Bale’s fierce cross into his own net under pressure from Hal Robson-Kanu.
Wales’ slender win means they will face Belgium in the quarter-finals on Friday evening, while Northern Ireland exit with their heads held high.
