Euro 2016 - Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany: 5 Talking Points

#2 Northern Ireland absolutely battered

Following a famous victory over Ukraine – their first ever in Euro history – Northern Ireland would have expected a rise in the quality of the opposition as they prepared to face the world champions. They got exactly what they had expected – an incisive German side keen to improve on their goalless draw against Poland.

For nearly 90 percent of the game, they were behind the ball and had to put bodies on the line to keep the score down. Thomas Muller’s innumerable misses and keeper McGovern’s heroics kept Michael O’Neill’s side in the game.

Needless to say, they were absolutely worn out at the end of the game, chasing a German side playing like defending champions.