Wales tops Northern Ireland, reaches Euro 2016 quarterfinals

Bale’s cross was aimed at teammate Hal Robson-Kanu but was inadvertently tipped into the net by Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley in the 75th minute.

But Wales was more unsafe after the break and will next play Hungary or Belgium in the quarterfinals Friday in Lille, France.

Action got underway in the French capital with an opening 45 minutes that passed by without any real major incidents, with a measly three shots on target combined from either side.

Also in action were Wales who, after managing to grab top spot in group B, had a last 16 encounter with fellow Brits, Northern Ireland in Paris.

Despite recently signing a four-year deal with the team after delivering major-tournament football for the first time in 30 years, a £750,000 release clause in O’Neill’s contract would not be a huge deterrent to the bigger clubs in England and Scotland should they identify him as a potential manager. As a result, Wales can not at attack at the first half.

Bale and his team-mates were frustrated by a dogged Northern Ireland defence.

NI did a good job of restricting Bale for the first hour of the game.

Even Euro 2016 volunteers had sung it through a megaphone long before the kick-off, and manager Michael O’Neill was asked after their last 16 exit from a 1-0 defeat against Wales why Grigg hadn’t played at all in France. “Hopefully, going forward, Gareth continues to play for us”.

“Luckily enough we got it and the ball was in the back of the net”.

“We knew it was going to be an ugly match”. Ashley Williams sat down on the pitch. It was unfortunate for McAuley but you take it. We could have lost our way and got ill-disciplined but we hung in there.

“Credit to Northern Ireland who did what they do well, and that’s make it very hard for the opponents. I think he appreciates what he has around him, his team-mates, and they certainly appreciate that they’ve got a super talent in Gareth, so it’s a good blend”.

“Whoever comes in front of us – Belgium and Hungary can cause us different problems”.

Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill said the result had been heart-breaking and his side deserved better.

“Being here for the last four weeks – obviously you miss family and we’re on the phone every day and some of them come over”.

“I thought we didn’t really play well at all today. We knew at half-time that we were out-battling them and beating them to second balls and needed to keep that up right until the end but unfortunately they nicked the goal”.

One of the sensations of the first round, Wales had been impressive notably in a 3-0 victory over Russian Federation in which Bale shone along with energetic box-to-box midfielder Aaron Ramsey.