Euro 2016 match preview: Wales vs Northern Ireland

The eagerly-anticipated clash between Wales and Northern Ireland is the first time two home nations have met in the knockout stages of a major tournament.


It is also the first time either nation has made it to the knockout rounds of a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

Wales will be slight favourites after a performance against Russia that was lauded as one of the finest in their history. It was so good Coleman even allowed his players their first beer since they joined up a month ago.

Bale scored again in that game and his list of achievements and statistics at this tournament are already very impressive. Now Wales' all-time record scorer at major tournaments, he is the first player since Milan Baros and Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2004 to score in all three group games. But with Wales, it is always about the team.

Much like it is with Northern Ireland. Their path to the last 16 may have been more unusual than Wales', but their unorthodox style has been very effective indeed.

After the group stage, Michael O'Neill's side finished bottom of the table for average possession (28% - Germany are top with 72%), total shots (17 - Portugal have had 70), most successful passes made (416 - Spain have completed 1871) and for passing accuracy in the final third (42% - Spain's figure is 83%), yet they stand 90 minutes away from a quarter-final against either Hungary or Belgium.

They could again be reliant on the performance of goalkeeper Michael McGovern. He was given a standing ovation when he walked in the dressing room after a man-of-the-match display against Germany that saw him compared by O'Neill to the great Pat Jennings. His saves helped his side protect a goal difference that ultimately meant they qualified as one of the four best third-place finishers.



TEAM NEWS

Wales and Northern Ireland have fully-fit squads to choose from as they meet in the European Championship last 16.

Wales manager Chris Coleman has to make a decision between Sam Vokes, Jonny Williams and Hal Robson-Kanu - one of whom will partner Gareth Bale up front.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill could pick the same team for the match in Paris that played against both Ukraine and Germany.

The winners will play Hungary or Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Wales striker Vokes and defender Ben Davies are a yellow card away from suspension. For Northern Ireland, another yellow card for Craig Cathcart, Stuart Dallas, Jonny Evans or Jamie Ward would see them banned for a potential quarter-final.


MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Northern Ireland are without a victory in eight matches against Wales (D4, L4). Their last victory was in May 1980 (1-0 in Cardiff, goal by Noel Brotherston).
• They have met on 95 previous occasions. Wales have won 44 times to Northern Ireland's 25.
• They last met back in March. Simon Church's late penalty cancelled out an early goal by Northern Ireland's Craig Cathcart.
• Northern Ireland are ranked 25th in the world - Wales are 26th.

Wales

• Wales have reached the knockout stages in their two major tournament participations. In 1958, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by a goal from Brazil's Pele.
• They have lost only two of their eight games at major tournaments, and both have been by a one-goal margin; 1-0 to Brazil in 1958 (0-1) and England in 2016 (1-2).
• Gareth Bale is the first player since Thomas Hassler in 1992 to score two free-kick goals in one European Championship.
• Bale is also now Wales' top-scorer in major tournaments with three goals, one more than Ivor Allchurch.
• Injury time included, Wales have trailed for only two minutes and 31 seconds in total over their first three games at Euro 2016.
• Wales were the joint-top scorers in the group stages along with Hungary (six goals). Four of their goals came in the first half.
• All three goals conceded by Wales at this tournament so far have all come after the 56th minute - they've also all been scored by substitutes.
• Aaron Ramsey has scored or assisted three of Wales' last five goals.
• They had 22 shots on target in the group stage - more than any other team.

Northern Ireland

• This is the first time Northern Ireland have made it to the knockout stages of a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, where they were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.
• They made it out of the first round of the group stage at the 1982 World Cup by finishing top but they then failed to make it out of a second round of group stage matches.
• Northern Ireland have only lost two of their last 15 internationals (W7, D6). However, these two defeats have come in their last three games - 1-0 to Poland and Germany.
• They haven't conceded more than one goal in their last 16 internationals, since they lost 2-0 to Romania in November 2014.
• Seven of Northern Ireland's last 10 goals in competitive games have come from set-pieces (four from corners, three from indirect free-kicks).
• They had a total of four shots (one on target) in their two games against Germany and Poland.

Possible Line-Ups

Wales: Wayne Hennessey; Chris Gunter, Neil Taylor, Ben Davies, James Chester, Ashley Williams; Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley; Gareth Bale, Sam Vokes.

Northern Ireland: Michael McGovern; Aaron Hughes, Gareth McAuley, Craig Cathcart, Jonny Evans; Oliver Norwood, Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas, Corry Evans, Jamie Ward; Conor Washington.