NORTHERN Ireland joined England and Wales in the last 16 of the European Championship after finishing as one of the best third-placed teams.Northern Ireland – in their first appearance at a Euros and first major tournament since 1986 – will now meet either Wales or France for a place in the quarter-finals.
Michael O’Neill’s side lost 1-0 to Germany on Tuesday but finished third in Group C, with their tally of three points enough to see them advance on goal difference.
Turkey’s 2-0 victory against the Czech Republic ensured that Northern Ireland will be one of the four best third-placed teams who will go on to join the group winners and runners-up in the knockout stages.
A tie against Wales would take place on Saturday (kick-off 17:00 BST) in Paris, or they will play France in Lyon on Sunday (14:00).
“It’s surreal,” O’Neill told BBC Radio 5 live. “We were just on the coach so have been following on the BBC website. I’m not sure it’s really sunk in yet, but it’s a fantastic achievement.
“We knew the group would be difficult. What we saw tonight was a team that refused to be beaten by a big margin and did everything possible to stay in the game.

(BBC Sport)