Euro 2016: Germany, Poland qualify for knockouts

World champions Germany led a group of five teams through to the last 16 of Euro 2016 on Wednesday after Mario Gomez struck the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland.

Gomez’s 30th-minute effort in Paris ensured Germany advanced as winners of Group C, with Poland through as runners-up following a 1-0 win over Ukraine.

Wednesday’s results also mean that Croatia, Slovakia and Hungary are all guaranteed to reach the knockout stages.

Gomez was thrust into Germany’s starting XI after Joachim Loew’s side laboured to a 0-0 draw against Poland last week. The on-loan Besiktas striker repaid his coach’s faith with the only goal at the Parc des Princes.

Germany dominated, with Thomas Mueller, who set up Gomez’s goal, twice firing against the woodwork in the first half. Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern pulled off several saves to limit the damage.

Germany will now play the third-placed team in Group A, B or F in Lille on Sunday.

Read also: Euro 2016: Wales, England through to knockout stages

“We played well and we were convincing but we didn’t score nearly enough. That was really lacking today” said defender Mats Hummels.

“When we play against the really top teams we’ll have to give it that little bit more.”

Coach Joachim Loew also bemoaned missed opportunities. “We created some very good chances, but also squandered a few.

“They had no chances, but we needed to have had more purpose and consistency in front of goal. It was good in terms of the football we played, but we should have been more dominant,” Loew said.

Despite the loss, McGovern’s heroics could still prove vital as the Northern Irish wait to see if they qualify as one of four best third-place teams.

Half-time substitute Jakub Blaszczykowski needed just nine minutes to fire Poland past the Ukraine in Marseille.

Blaszczykowski swept home a tidy finish following a cleverly-worked corner to leave Poland on seven points, level with Germany, but behind their neighbours on goal difference.

“We would have liked to have scored more goals, but when you see in the standings that we’re only separated by goal difference from world champions Germany, you have to be happy,” said goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

“It’s the first time in 30 years we’ve qualified from the group stage, we know we can go further and play better.”

For Ukraine it was a third successive loss and the last match for coach Mykhaylo Fomenko, who announced earlier on Tuesday that he would leave his post following the tournament.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now