Euro 2016: Northern Ireland shock Ukraine

Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn scored against Ukraine in the sixth minute of injury-time to put the seal on Northern Ireland’s first win at the finals of a major tournament in 34 years.

Gareth McAuley, the 36-year-old West Brom defender, became the second oldest player to net at a European Championship finals when he headed home an Oliver Norwood free-kick early in the second half in Lyon.

McGinn, who came on for Jamie Ward after play had been suspended briefly by the referee in the second half due to adverse weather conditions, made the final scoreline 2-0 with a close-range striker late on.

Michael McGovern, the Hamilton goalkeeper who has been linked with a move to Rangers this summer, kept a clean sheet and Josh Magennis, the Kilmarnock forward, came off the bench with six minutes remaining.

Despite having fewer than 40 professional players to select a squad from, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill made five changes to the team which lost 1-0 to Poland in Nice on Sunday.

He relegated his top scorer Kyle Lafferty to the bench and gave his place to Conor Washington – the 24-year-old QPR striker who was working as a postman and playing for St Ives in the ninth tier of English football the last time the Euros were staged in 2012.

Read also: Euro 2016: Deschamps happy after France’s late goals

Former Dundee United and Hibernian midfielder O’Neill, though, was rewarded for his bold team selection with a vastly improved display and his country’s first ever victory in the European Championship finals.

“It’s a hugely proud day for me and for the country as well,” he said. “I think it’s our first win in the European Championship finals. Well, it’s our first time so it must be our first win.

“But it’s the level of performance that I’m most proud of. The players really reacted to the defeat in the first game and the disappointment of the first game. I thought every one of them was magnificent.

“I haven’t watched much football at the tournament apart from our own games. I watched the game against Poland back from every camera angle that UEFA give you which is hugely beneficial.

“I just felt that we needed to get more running power into our team. The shape of our team was very good against Poland, but we couldn’t get up the pitch. We needed players who would give us that outlet and the players who came in certainly did that.

“It was a high-intensity performance, we pressed the ball very well, and we played some great football.”

McAuley said: “It is special to score. It was a great reaction after the defeat by Poland. We had a point to prove to ourselves. We thought we let ourselves down in our intensity. But we have put that right. It is pleasing and we will take confidence from it. But we have a tough game ahead.”

Northern Ireland can still qualify for the last 16, but now face world champions Germany in their final Group C match against Germany in Paris on Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

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