terça-feira, 21 de junho de 2016

Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany: O'Neill's men sweat on last-16 spot after Gomez winner - 5 things we learned



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Northern Ireland have finished third in Group C on three points with the four best third-placed side progressing to the knockout stages


Northern Ireland must wait to discover their Euro 2016 fate after their 1-0 defeat toGermany in Paris.
Michael O'Neill's men finish Group C on three points and face an anxious wait to find out if they are one of the four best third-placed teams.
They had Michael McGovern to thank for keeping the world champions out with theNorthern Ireland stopper making a string of fine saves.
He could do little about the only goal of the game though as Mario Gomez slotted home following good work from Thomas Muller.
Here are five things we learned.

1. Irish fans loud and proud


GettyNorthern Ireland supporters cheer on their team
Northern Ireland supporters cheer on their team

Northern Ireland's summer looks set to go on - and it's nothing less than their fans deserve.
They were in fine voice again in Paris having arguably been the loudest supporters during the group stages.
Michael O'Neill's men have been excellent throughout the competition and their travelling party have matched that level of performance.

PARory McIlroy in the stands
Rory McIlroy in the stands

Even former golf No.1 Rory McIlroy got involved as he watched on from the stands at the Parc des Princes.
Should they make the last-16, they may have to add another second song to their repertoire though.

2. McGovern superb again


ReutersNorthern Ireland's Michael McGovern saves from Germany's Thomas Muller
McGovern denies Thomas Muller

The Northern Ireland goalkeeper has enjoyed a fantastic tournament to date but he saved his best performance for the world champions.
He will have expected to be busy but his goal was peppered early on in Paris.
McGovern denied Thomas Muller after he had been played through by Mesut Ozil before a low save to keep out the Arsenal man.
Mario Gotze was next to try his luck but McGovern stayed big again
This was all within the first 15 minutes!
At the age of 31, he still has plenty to offer and Hamilton Academical may have a few bids coming their way this summer.

3. Gomez makes his mark


ReutersGermany's Mario Gomez celebrates after scoring their first goal
Gomez celebrates after scoring

The Germany striker was making his first start of the tournament in Paris and soon proved his worth to Joachim Low.
A series of opportunities had passed the world champions by before Gomez slotted home after good work from Thomas Muller.
Germany had four points ahead of this one and while they haven't needed to get out of first gear, they haven't been quite as potent in front of goal.

ReutersGermany's Mario Gomez scores their first goal
Gomez fires home from close range

Mario Gotze and Muller have both had spells as Germany's main striker in their first two games but they don't have the same presence as Gomez in that role.
They both also looked rejuvenated without the pressure of being their side's main goal threat.
A 36-year-old Miroslav Klose led the line for Low's men two years ago and an out-and-out striker could prove vital if they are to repeat that success.

4. Muller misery continues


ReutersGermany's Thomas Muller in action with Northern Ireland's Michael McGovern
Muller fails to find the net

Thomas Muller has a quite incredible goal record in the World Cup. His tally in the European Championships is less than impressive.
In eight games over two tournaments (2012 and 2016), Muller has failed to find the net.
Against Northern Ireland, he couldn't have come much closer.
He was first denied by McGovern, after being played through by Ozil and then flashed a shot wide of goal.
The woodwork even denied him twice before the break as he headed against the post before a close-range effort came back off the crossbar.
Muller arrived in France after his best season yet at club level but he appears to have lost his touch in front of goal - for now.

5. Will Grigg is NOT on fire


Charles McQuillan
Grigg hasn't had any minutes this summer

Northern Ireland's Group C campaign is over.
And Will Grigg hasn't stepped foot on the pitch once.
He arrived in France as his country's cult hero after Wigan fans created a now famous chant in his honour.
Mats Hummels even talked up the Northern Ireland man ahead of this one.
But maybe it's time to realise Grigg isn't on fire.
Three strikers were used by Michael O'Neill against the world champions and he wasn't one of them.
Could this be the end?

PANorthern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill before the UEFA Euro 2016, Group C match at the Parc Des Princes
Michael O'Neill watches on

Teams

Northern Ireland: McGovern, Hughes, McAuley, Cathcart, J. Evans, C. Evans (McGinn, 83), Norwood, Davis, Ward (Magennis, 70), Dallas, Washington (Lafferty, 59).
Germany: Neuer, Hector, Boateng (Howedes 75), Hummels, Kimmich, Khedira (Schweinsteiger, 69), Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Gotze (Schurrle 55), Gomez.


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