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Euro 2016: Northern Ireland join England and Wales in last 16

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments433

Northern Ireland joined England and Wales in the last 16 of the European Championship after finishing as one of the best third-placed teams.

Making their first appearance at a Euros, they will meet Wales or hosts France for a place in the last eight.

Michael O'Neill's side were beaten 1-0 by world champions Germany in their final Group C game on Tuesday.

But their tally of three points was enough to claim third spot and a place in the next round on goal difference.

Third placed teams table
The four best third-placed teams qualify.

With the groups yet to be completed, Northern Ireland are already assured of being one of the four best third-placed teams to progress to the knockout stages alongside the group winners and runners-up.

They will learn whether they will face Wales or France once Wednesday's group games are over.

A tie against Wales would take place on Saturday (17:00 BST) at the Parc de Princes in Paris, while they would meet France in Lyon on Sunday (14:00).

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NI boss O'Neill wants Wales in last 16

"It's surreal," said O'Neill, who revealed his squad found out they had qualified by following the BBC Sport website.

"What we saw was a team that refused to be beaten by a big margin and did everything possible to stay in the game.

"I'm not sure it's really sunk in yet, but it's a fantastic achievement. Over the three games, we deserve to be in the last 16.

"What we went through tonight will prepare us for anything in the next round and our players will be ready for whoever."

Asked whether he would rather face Wales or France, O'Neill added: "If I was picking a team I thought we had a better chance against, I would say Wales."

Who could England face?

Roy Hodgson's side will play their last-16 match on Monday at 20:00 BST against the side that finishes second in Group F.

That could be Hungary, Iceland, Portugal or Austria, who play their final round of group games on Wednesday..

By failing to finish top of Group B, England now find themselves in the same side of the draw as Spain, Italy, Germany, France and, potentially, Portugal.

What about Wales?

Chris Coleman's team, who finished above England in Group B, could face Northern Ireland or Turkey.

Whatever happens, the game will take place on Saturday (17:00 BST) in Paris,

Other teams in their half of the draw include Switzerland, Poland and Croatia.

Who else has qualified?

We know 12 of the 16 qualifiers ahead of Wednesday's final round of group games:

Group A: France and Switzerland

Group B: Wales and England

Group C: Germany and Poland

Group D: Croatia and Spain

Group E: Italy

Group F: Hungary

Best third-placed teams: Slovakia and Northern Ireland

Who else can go through?

Two further places are up for grabs in Groups E and F.

A further two best third-placed spots are available, with Albania and Turkey still in with a chance of making it through.

The Republic of Ireland will qualify for the last 16 if they beat Italy on Wednesday (20:00 BST).

Italy are set to make "between seven and nine" changes for the game, according to boss Antonio Conte.

The Italians already know they will face Spain in the last 16 after the defending champions finished second in Group D following a surprise loss to Croatia.

Who is out?

Eight teams will fail to progress to the last 16. We know four of them.

Romania, Russia, the Czech Republic managed just one point each, while Ukraine failed to collect a goal or point.

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433 comments

  • Comment posted by User0332863678, at 22:08 21 Jun 2016

    Amazing achievement NI!

    Congratulations.

  • Comment posted by User0145031449, at 22:20 21 Jun 2016

    If Iceland can get through to join NI and Wales then it will show that the smallest nations in World football should always be given the opportunity to dare to dream they can make an impact at major tournaments.

  • Comment posted by Dragonborn, at 22:08 21 Jun 2016

    Awesome seeing all the British countries do well! Congratulations NI!

  • Comment posted by You Stupid Boy, at 22:09 21 Jun 2016

    Sucks to be Scotland right now..

  • Comment posted by weasel80, at 22:13 21 Jun 2016

    Absolutely brilliant to see all 3 teams through, NI support today was incredible al through the match even though they were under pressure all game, with Spain finishing 2nd, England now have France, Germany, Italy, Spain and poss Portugal in their side of the draw, Wales side top team is Belgium, wonder whether hodgson is regretting last night now....

  • Comment posted by dan, at 22:16 21 Jun 2016

    Brilliant news. Go on NI, glad to see you joining us other home nation teams in the r16!!

    Potentially wales vs NI in the r16?! Crazy stuff.
    Come on the home nations and good luck to Republic of Ireland tomorrow!

  • Comment posted by User0698875784, at 22:14 21 Jun 2016

    I'm using this opportunity to say sorry for not keeping up to date on the quality of Irish and Welsh football, England at times takes too much of the limelight away from them.

  • Comment posted by backchatter, at 22:11 21 Jun 2016

    Great stuff! Well done Northern Ireland. Don't rest on your laurels....

  • Comment posted by Roundy, at 22:14 21 Jun 2016

    Well done NI...well deserved..enjoy :)

  • Comment posted by blues legend, at 22:54 21 Jun 2016

    Genuine republic fans and northern Ireland fans want each other to do well - the plastic political idiots who dont even attend games dont

  • Comment posted by Chip the Duck, at 22:58 21 Jun 2016

    Well done NI.

    I'm English so would want England to win, but I'll be more than happy with Wales or Northern Ireland.

    Go for it guys!!

  • Comment posted by User0583031689, at 22:42 21 Jun 2016

    These days NI and ROI fans are getting on well. Pretty sure the bitterness here is from plastic paddies.

  • Comment posted by Tufty, at 22:12 21 Jun 2016

    How often does a goalie get you into the next round of Euro 2016. Fantastic saves to keep it to 1-0.
    Just go for it now and enjoy !!

  • Comment posted by User0298887529, at 22:23 21 Jun 2016

    Wales - surprise package of tournament, honestly didn't think they were that good.
    England - despite all possession and chances and positivity, when it really came down to it the 'creative' players went AWOL and just started shooting from stupid distances/angles.
    Northern Ireland - Best fans by a mile. Fantastic support and they get to do it all over again; into the last 16, amazing achievement

  • Comment posted by User0176697672, at 07:41 22 Jun 2016

    3rd place teams shouldn't get through bla bla bla. Were you all bleating on like this through the 82, 86, 90 and 94 world cups? Dry your eyes! Everyone new the rules before the championship started.
    Came out of pot 5 to win their group, now got to the last 16.
    Mon the GAWA

  • Comment posted by User0730650296, at 22:13 21 Jun 2016

    delighted for NI, the fans are awesome

  • Comment posted by wordsofwisdom, at 02:56 22 Jun 2016

    196. Harry M

    Interesting that Euro teams have won the last 3 world cups. "Silly tap in goals in the last minute of stoppage time". List them! There have been lots of quality goals in the Euro's. You're disingenuous comment makes you look like a plank.

  • Comment posted by John LS, at 08:38 22 Jun 2016

    @269 Strange_UBoat

    "Apart from the keeper it's a wonder how they got here"

    You do know that it's the keepers job to stop the goals going in.

    In 3 games NI have scored 1 less goal than England and conceded the same despite facing 3 tougher teams

    I'd say they're there on merit as they're one of the best 16 teams

  • Comment posted by manofkent, at 22:55 21 Jun 2016

    Yes! all 3 home nations through, NI deserved that in one of the toughest groups. Hope ROI get through too but they will need to beat Italy - tall order but I am beginning to think anythings possible. People complaining about a lack of quality but I am loving the enlarged format, especially with so many UK teams there. Takes me back to world cups of old.....

  • Comment posted by Chip the Duck, at 23:09 21 Jun 2016

    Some snide comments about Scotland on here.

    Grow up lads!

    (From an Englishman)

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