By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
They may have been defeated by world champions Germany in
Paris but Northern Ireland will be staying at EURO 2016 as one of the best
third-placed teams.
Michael O’Neill’s side have a better record than fellow
third-placed finishers Turkey and Albania, meaning they will go into the round
of 16. They will now play either France or Wales at the weekend.
Mario Gomez’s 30th minute goal ensured Germany
left the Parc des Princes with all three points against Northern Ireland and
they finish top of Group C.
Poland finished below them only on goal difference, with
Jakub Blaszczykowski scoring the only goal in Marseille against Ukraine.
Marvellous
McGovern
Germany elected for an attacking formation in the French
capital. Having been a substitute for the first two games, Gomez was thrown
into the starting XI alongside Thomas Müller, Mario Götze and Mesut Özil.
Youngster Joshua Kimmich also got an opportunity in the backline instead of the
experienced Benedikt Höwedes.
In truth, Germany could have been three or four goals up by
the interval but they were denied by a combination of the woodwork and a
marvellous performance from Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern.
McGovern is looking for a new club after his contract
expired recently at Scottish Premiership outfit Hamilton Academical and he has
definitely shown his credentials on the biggest stage, making nine saves to ensure
the Germans didn’t escape out of view.
Two of his best stops came after the restart, denying Götze
from point-blank range and then getting a strong hand on a downwards header by
Gomez to push the ball around the post. It was one of the best individual
goalkeeping performances of the competition so far.
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| Mario Gomez scored the only goal in Paris to ensure Germany top Group C |
The goal that did come to settle the contest came on the
half hour. Müller broke into the box and when his angles narrowed, he teed up
Gomez (pictured) who finished with some aplomb. He is the only natural German forward in
the squad and offers Joachim Low a very viable option in attack.
Northern Ireland’s quality going forwards wasn’t brilliant
but they kept going and gave Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng a few awkward moments.
The Germans have kept three clean sheets in three group games though, so they
look tough to beat going into the knockout stages.
And that is where Northern Ireland will be heading too. They
had to wait a few hours after their game but the Czech Republic’s defeat to
Turkey in Lens sealed their passage through into the last 16 and who knows, a
potential Battle of Britain with Chris Coleman’s Wales.
Polished
Poland edge out Ukraine
It is fair to say that if you had a ticket for any of Poland’s
EURO 2016 group matches, you might be hoping for a refund. There were just two
goals in their three matches in total.
You won’t be finding any Polish fans complaining though.
Seven points from these three matches sees them cruise into the last 16 and
only goal difference separated them and Germany.
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| Poland edged a tight game in Marseille against rivals Ukraine |
They weren’t at their best against Ukraine but had control
of the game and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Blaszczykowski (pictured in aerial battle) scored the solitary
goal with a bullet shot in the 54th minute.
With no goals, no points and little pride salvaged, Ukraine
will want to forget EURO 2016 in a hurry. They become the first team with the
unfortunate distinction of going home scoreless and pointless from the group
stages since Denmark at EURO 2000. Andriy Shevchenko takes over heading into
the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and he has a big job to sort out a fractured
dressing room.
My best
three players of Northern Ireland vs. Germany
Man of the Match: Michael McGovern (Northern Ireland)
He might have ended on the losing side but this was the
greatest performance of Michael McGovern’s international career. He made nine
saves and was only beaten once by a formidable German attack. Personally, he
can be delighted with his efforts.
2nd: Mesut Özil (Germany)
The Mesut Özil that created chances galore for Arsenal last
season has been missing at EURO 2016 so far but he had his best game for some
time in Paris. Özil tested McGovern a couple of times, fired another shot
fractionally wide and even did some tracking back which is one of his natural
weaknesses. He might be coming into form at just the right time for Germany.
3rd: Mario Gomez (Germany)
Germany’s matchwinner on the day made an immediate impact on
his first start of the competition. Gomez was dangerous in the air and looks
like the answer Low was hoping for to lead the attack. Had it not been for
McGovern’s inspired display, he could easily have had a hat-trick.
My best
three players of Ukraine vs. Poland
Man of the Match: Jakub Blaszczykowski (Poland)
He didn’t start the game but was sent on at half-time and
made the impact his manager would have been hoping for. Blaszczykowski can get
some power behind his left-foot strikes and his goal here was no different. It
was an effort that deserved to win this close encounter.
2nd: Grzegorz Krychowiak (Poland)
Krychowiak is on the verge of joining PSG from Sevilla for £23m
in the coming days. The defensive midfielder is one of the best at breaking up
play and starting attacks from the centre of midfield. He did a great job in
ensuring Ukraine’s main threats couldn’t break down the organised Polish
defence.
3rd: Kamil Glik (Poland)
Central defender Kamil Glik is not a familiar name with many
experts in the game but he has been the integral part of a Poland defence that
is yet to concede at EURO 2016. He made 10 clearances which was the most of any
player in this match. Switzerland will do well to find a way past Glik on
Saturday.
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