Turkey down Czechs, wait for last 16 berth

After defeats to Croatia and Spain in their first two games, goals by Burak Yilmaz and Ozan Tufan gave the rejuvenated Turks hope, although they need results to go their way when the group stage concludes on Wednesday. 

Should they go through, Turkey will face either Wales in Paris or hosts France in Lyon. The Czechs, however, will definitely go home, having finished bottom of the group with one point from three matches. The Turks opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Arda Turan sent Emre Mor scampering away down the right before he crossed for Burak Yilmaz, who ghosted in to send a simple first-time shot from close range flying past Petr Cech. 

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill believes his side fully deserve their place in the knockout stage after defying the odds to qualify. They already made history by reaching their first ever finals but a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Germany, coupled with Turkey’s 2-0 win over the Czech, ensured they would progress as one of the best third-placed sides. At full-time in Paris they knew they had a good chance of seeing further action; three hours later Turkey’s triumph confirmed it.