Germany’s Mario Gomez scored in the first half to secure a 1-0 win over a stubborn Northern Ireland side and a place in the last 16 of Euro 2016 as Group C winners on Tuesday.
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Northern Ireland huffed and puffed somewhat but – much like Ireland against Belgium – could not get their foot on the ball and stroke it about easily. They beat Ukraine 2-0 to notch their first win in a major tournament in 34 years, after narrowly losing against Poland in their opener.
At times he was the sole difference between a slender defeat and a trouncing and his options for next season must suddenly have become a lot more interesting.
“It has been a non-stop party for the Northern Ireland fans, whatever the results”, former skipper Neil Lennon said.
And, even when they did find the target, McGovern’s form continued as he scooped Gomez’s header away using his fingertips, with the goalkeeper’s night to remember effectively sealing Northern Ireland’s progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
“Not just the players involved but everyone included. Let’s be honest, though, but for the top-drawer saves Michael made from world class finishers, we could have shipped a 5-0 defeat or worse and that would have been a cruel exit”.
Then came the final match against Germany in Paris.
So perhaps it made sense that someone saw fit to alter Northern Ireland’s Wikipedia page so that every single one of their players was the man himself. To complicate matters further, bottom side Austria can also reach four points, which would definitely see them progress, though an Austrian win over Iceland would only definitely eliminate Turkey if Portugal failed to pick up a point.
Compared with McGovern, Manuel Neuer was a virtual spectator for most of the game in Paris, but Hummels believes the Germany goalkeeper contributes to the confidence that has allowed him and Jérôme Boateng to form such a comfortable centre-back partnership.
Backed by their noisy and devoted fans, the Irish, in their maiden appearance at a European Championship, showed great resilience against a Germany team who appeared more inventive than in their first two group games. “It is always nice to get one over on the English”, he said.
“But I want to play at as high a level as I can and my contract is up in two weeks, so hopefully my agent will be speaking to a few clubs”. McGovern, of course, but Gareth McAuley has been a real rock at the back too. I’ve enjoyed the whole tournament.
Arguably it was the best the tournament has seen and, with no new deal yet penned at New Douglas Park, O’Neill expects suitors to be circling this summer.
The 46-year-old, whose only previous managerial experience had been at Brechin City and Shamrock Rovers, must take credit for lifting players after that initial Polish setback.
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The team’s misfiring forwards have yet to score at the European Championship in games against Ukraine and Poland, and coach Joachim Loew has brushed off suggestions of a lack of leadership in his side. The players gave him a round of applause when he came in the dressing room.
