Ukraine knocked out of Euro 2016

Germany provided the first goalless draw, England earned the first comeback victory and Ukraine became the first team to be eliminated from the European Championship on Thursday.

World champions in Brazil two years ago and 2-0 winners over Ukraine on Sunday, Germany went into its Group C game against Poland at the Stade de France as the clear favourites. Instead, Germany were kept in check by a well-organized Poland side that also had the best chance to break the deadlock in a dour game. 

Arkadiusz Milik, who had scored Poland’s winner against Northern Ireland on Sunday, miscued a header as he fell to his knees in Germany’s goalmouth and the ball bounced wide. “We created few chances today,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said. “We didn’t increase the tempo and then nine of 10 Poles were behind the ball.” Later, Northern Ireland secured its first victory in a major competition in 34 years when it beat Ukraine 2-0. 

Building on a strong finish to the first half, center back Gareth McAuley headed in a free kick from Oliver Norwood in the 49th minute. Substitute Niall McGinn added a second deep in stoppage time when Ukraine was chasing an equalizer. The victory, Northern Ireland’s first since beating host Spain in the 1982 World Cup, means the team has a real chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of Euro 2016 Following its opening 1-0 defeat to Poland it now has three points, alongside Germany and Poland, who also meet Thursday. 

Northern Ireland’s next Group C game is against world champion Germany on Tuesday at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Northern Ireland was a far different team against Ukraine than the one that failed to even register a shot on goal against Poland. Coach Michael O’Neill made five changes to his team in response to that lackluster start to the tournament.

His team’s first shot between the posts came just four minutes into the match, when new addition Stuart Dallas fired into the arms of goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov. Northern Ireland grew in confidence through the first half and was rewarded with its first goal in an international competition since the 1986 World Cup when McAuley headed in a free kick from Oliver Norwood at the far post.

With rain pouring down, O’Neill’s team showed the extra aggressiveness he had requested for the match at the Stade de Lyon. A short suspension in play in the 58th minute because of hail did not alter the team’s intent. And McGinn added the second from close range in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Northern Ireland’s players wore black armbands and its fans dedicated a round of applause to pay their respects to a fellow supporter who died following the loss to Poland on Sunday. The 24-year-old Darren Rodgers died after a fall.