"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-06-10T16:55:39Z"
data-video-section="sport"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2016/06/10/euro-2016-a-to-z-france-cristiano-ronaldo-zlatan-ibrahimovic-pkg.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="euro 2016 a to z france cristiano ronaldo zlatan ibrahimovic pkg"
data-first-publish-slug="euro 2016 a to z france cristiano ronaldo zlatan ibrahimovic pkg"
data-video-tags="alcoholic beverages,beverages,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,consumer products,cristiano ronaldo,fifa,food and drink,football (soccer),kinds of foods and beverages,soccer events,sports and recreation,sports events,sports figures,sports organizations and teams,uefa,uefa european championship,wine,zlatan ibrahimovic,eiffel tower,europe,western europe,france,southern europe,albania,greece"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-06-10T16:55:39Z"
data-video-section="sport"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2016/06/10/euro-2016-a-to-z-france-cristiano-ronaldo-zlatan-ibrahimovic-pkg.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="euro 2016 a to z france cristiano ronaldo zlatan ibrahimovic pkg"
data-first-publish-slug="euro 2016 a to z france cristiano ronaldo zlatan ibrahimovic pkg"
data-video-tags="alcoholic beverages,beverages,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,consumer products,cristiano ronaldo,fifa,food and drink,football (soccer),kinds of foods and beverages,soccer events,sports and recreation,sports events,sports figures,sports organizations and teams,uefa,uefa european championship,wine,zlatan ibrahimovic,eiffel tower,europe,western europe,france,southern europe,albania,greece"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-06-11T00:14:39Z"
data-video-section="tv"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2016/06/10/euro-2016-kicks-off-amid-security-fears-and-strikes-alex-thomas-lklv.cnn"
data-branding-key="euro-2016"
data-video-slug="euro 2016 kicks off amid security fears and strikes alex thomas lklv"
data-first-publish-slug="euro 2016 kicks off amid security fears and strikes alex thomas lklv"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,arenas and stadiums,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,eastern europe,europe,fifa,football (soccer),france,paris,romania,soccer events,sports and recreation,sports events,sports organizations and teams,stade de france,transportation and warehousing,travel and tourism,uefa,uefa european championship,western europe"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Euro 2016 kicks off amid tightened security, strikes
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-06-06T07:49:06Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/06/06/france-fear-terror-attack-euro-2016.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="france fear terror attack euro 2016"
data-first-publish-slug="france fear terror attack euro 2016"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,fifa,football (soccer),francois hollande,international relations and national security,national security,political figures - intl,soccer events,sports and recreation,sports events,sports organizations and teams,terrorism,terrorism and counter-terrorism,terrorist attacks,uefa,uefa european championship,unrest, conflicts and war"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-06-06T12:49:52Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/06/06/ukraine-france-euro-2016-terror-arrest-bittermann-ns.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="ukraine france euro 2016 terror arrest bittermann ns"
data-first-publish-slug="ukraine france euro 2016 terror arrest bittermann ns"
data-video-tags="arrests,banking, finance and investments,business, economy and trade,counterterrorism,crime, law enforcement and corrections,criminal law,currencies,eastern europe,economy and economic indicators,europe,exchange rates,fifa,financial markets and investing,football (soccer),foreign-exchange markets,international relations and national security,law and legal system,law enforcement,money, banknotes and coins,national security,soccer events,sports and recreation,sports events,sports organizations and teams,terrorism,terrorism and counter-terrorism,terrorist attacks,uefa,uefa european championship,ukraine,unrest, conflicts and war"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Ukraine arrests Frenchman planning Euro 2016 attack
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-11T16:14:39Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/04/11/paris-brussels-attackers-sought-euro-2016-cruickshank-ath.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="paris brussels attackers sought euro 2016 cruickshank ath"
data-first-publish-slug="paris brussels attackers sought euro 2016 cruickshank ath"
data-video-tags="2015 paris terror attacks,2016 brussels terror attacks,belgium,brussels,europe,fifa,football (soccer),france,international relations and national security,investigations,islamic state in iraq and syria,mohamed abrini,national security,paris,soccer events,sports and recreation,sports events,sports organizations and teams,terrorism,terrorism and counter-terrorism,terrorist attacks,uefa,uefa european championship,unrest, conflicts and war,western europe"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-30T14:28:04Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/03/30/france-euro-soccer-security-bittermann-pkg.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="france euro soccer security bittermann pkg"
data-first-publish-slug="france euro soccer security bittermann pkg"
data-video-tags="crime, law enforcement and corrections,fifa,football (soccer),international relations and national security,law enforcement,national security,policing and police forces,soccer events,sports and recreation,sports events,sports fans,sports organizations and teams,terrorism,terrorism and counter-terrorism,terrorist attacks,uefa,uefa european championship,unrest, conflicts and war"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2015-12-11T09:02:05Z"
data-video-section="sport"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2015/12/11/owen-hargreaves-5-reasons-to-love-euro-2016.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="owen hargreaves 5 reasons to love euro 2016"
data-first-publish-slug="owen hargreaves 5 reasons to love euro 2016"
data-video-tags="sports and recreation,england,europe,fifa,football (soccer),northern europe,soccer events,sports events,sports fans,sports organizations and teams,uefa,uefa european championship,united kingdom"
data-details="">
Quality told at the Parc des Princes as the might of Germany prevailed against valiant Northern Ireland – a nation with just 2% of its world champion opponent’s population and a former postman up front.
In truth, the one-goal margin flattered the Irish as Joachim Low’s side dominated Tuesday to top Group C and progress to the knockout stage of Euro 2016 thanks to Mario Gomez’s 25th-minute winner.
Poland also secured a place in the last 16, beating Ukraine 1-0 in Marseille Tuesday to finish runner-up in the group.
For Northern Ireland, ranked 25th in the world, the three points earlier won against Ukraine was enough to go through as one of the best third-placed finishers, as Turkey failed to win by the requisite four-goal margin against the Czech Republic in Tuesday’s later Group D match.
“The nature of the comp is such that small teams deserve the opportunity and we earned our right to be here,” Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill told reporters..
“We’ve earned a right to be in the round of 16. I think our players deserve the opportunity, they’ve done magnificently well.
“We have to hope we produce an upset in a cup-tie format. We’re a very small nation with a very small group of players. I’m immensely proud to be here.”
Well-oiled machine
Steadfast throughout qualifying and in the first two games of this tournament, O’Neill’s players looked comfortable with the Germans in front of them – but the 2014 World Cup winners were able to click into a sixth gear in the final third.
Like a well-oiled machine, one-touch combination play between Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Gomez repeatedly found space in crowded scenarios and out-balls in cul-de-sacs.
As such, Northern Ireland stopper Michael McGovern was the unlikely star of the show for the underdog in the opening stages, rushing from his goal to beat away a number of German attempts and making eight saves over the 90 minutes.
“The players gave him a round of applause when he came in the dressing room, and when that happens you don’t really need the manager to say any more,” O’Neill added.
O’Neill had packed the Northern Ireland midfield in central areas in an attempt to stifle the prodigious passing of Toni Kroos, after the Real Madrid man completed more passes per match than anyone else in the tournament heading into the contest.
As it happened, Kroos completed more passes than the entire Northern Ireland team combined.
Germany’s full-backs also posed a threat and 21-year-old Joshua Kimmich, making his tournament debut, might have done better when his chipped attempt sailed harmlessly over the bar with McGovern’s goal gaping.
But it didn’t take long for the main protagonists to come to the fore.
The woodwork foiled Muller not once but twice, before McGovern – without a club after being released by Scottish club Hamilton – got the better of the golden boot winner from the 2010 World Cup.
Croatia's Ivan Perisic takes off his shirt to celebrate his match-winning goal against Spain on Tuesday, June 21. He also assisted a goal in Croatia's 2-1 comeback victory. Croatia topped Group D and awaits its next opponent in the round of 16. Spain finished second in the group and has a date set with Italy.
Hassan Ammar/AP
Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic saves a second-half penalty taken by Spain's Sergio Ramos. The match was tied 1-1 at the time.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Croatia's Marko Pjaca attempts an overhead kick.
PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images
Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas tries to shield the ball from Milan Badelj.
MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/Getty Images
Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea saves a shot from Croatia's Tin Jedvaj.
PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images
Croatian supporters cheer during the match in Bordeaux, France.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Turkish forward Burak Yilmaz, right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring the opening goal against the Czech Republic in Lens, France. Turkey won 2-0 and finished third in Group D. It could qualify for the knockout stage depending on other results in the tournament.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Petr Cech makes a save for the Czechs.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Ozan Tufan, bottom, scores Turkey's second goal.
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Flares were thrown on the field near Turkey's fans.
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Czech fans watch the match at the stadium in Lens.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Mario Gomez celebrates after scoring for Germany in a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland. Germany won Group C and will wait to see its opponent in the round of 16. Northern Ireland finished third in the group and clinched a round-of-16 spot with the Group D results later in the day.
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Gomez scores his first-half goal past goalkeeper Michael McGovern.
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Gomez and Gareth McAuley compete for a header.
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
Germany's Joshua Kimmich and Northern Ireland's Stuart Dallas battle for possession.
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images
German supporters watch the match on television in Berlin.
MAURIZIO GAMBARINI/AFP/Getty Images
Jakub Blaszczykowski scored the goal in Poland's 1-0 victory over Ukraine in Marseille, France. Poland finished second in Group C and will play Switzerland in the round of 16. Ukraine was eliminated from the tournament after losing all three of its matches.
VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images
Blaszczykowski, third from left, buries his goal after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images
Ukraine's Bohdan Butko tussles with Blaszczykowski.
Thanassis Stavrakis/AP
Polish defender Thiago Cionek, left, jumps for the ball with Ukrainian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka.
BERTRAND LANGLOIS/AFP/Getty Images
Poland supporters cheer near the stadium in Marseille.
JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET/AFP/Getty Images
Euro 2016: Day 12
Irish luck runs out
The aura surrounding Northern Ireland’s charmed goalmouth was broken before the 30-minute mark.
Germany had been getting closer to scoring, and finally led through Gomez after more intricate, first-time football.
Muller lured the keeper from his position and, with his back to goal, unselfishly laid on a plate for his strike partner to tap in – it was the Besiktas striker’s first international goal since Euro 2012.
Northern Irish golf star Rory McIlroy (L) was watching his compatriots at Parc des Princes.
Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
For all Northern Ireland’s tenacity, the team lacked quality in its final ball – typified as Jamie Ward robbed Mario Goetze in own defensive third to spark a two-on-two attack, but snubbed a golden opportunity to play in Conor Washington (who was working as a postman while a semi-pro at the time of Euro 2012) and saw his shot sail harmlessly into the hands of Manuel Neuer.
Such profligacy would prove costly as Germany enjoyed 76% of possession and made more than four times as many passes on the night.
However, the Irish can look forward to a place in the last 16 along with Slovakia. The results of Wednesday’s Group E and F deciders will determine the other two third-placed nations to reach the knockout stage.
Jakub’s Ladder
Poland also finished with two wins and a draw after Jakub Blaszczykowski’s second-half goal at Stade Velodrome was enough to condemn Ukraine to its third successive defeat.
The midfielder scored nine minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute, combining with Arkadiusz Milik before curling a shot past keeper Andriy Pyatov for his 17th international goal.
Early on, young Ajax talent Milik had a fierce shot parried by Ukraine keeper Andriy Pyatov, before only an uncharacteristic miss from Robert Lewandowski kept the scores level.
The prolific Bayern Munich striker is still yet to have a shot on target at Euro 2016, and it took the introduction of his former Dortmund teammate Blaszczykowski to break the deadlock, as the Fiorentina loanee skilfully rolled the ball into space with his right before firing into the top corner with his left to become the first Poland player to score in two European Championship finals.
The Ukrainians weren’t mere passengers, as Andriy Yarmolenko went through and almost beat an onrushing Lukasz Fabianski, but Mykhaylo Fomenko’s side will ultimately look back upon a torrid campaign, finishing without a goal.
