Wales into last eight

PARIS: Wales defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 in the round of 16 clash here on Saturday to enter the quarter-finals of the European Championship football tournament. Northern Ireland’s Gareth McAuley scored an own goal in the 75th minute to help Wales cruise into the last-eight stage of the tournament. It was a sloppy mistake from the defender which made the difference in the second half. The crucial moment eventually came in the 75th minute when Gareth Bale crossed in from the left side. Hal Robson-Kanu was running into its path and looked set to knock it in, but McAuley beat him to it and diverted it past his own goalkeeper. But despite the efforts of Northern Ireland, they were unable to muster a reply and it was the red shirts in the stadium that were left to celebrate a quarter-final berth. Both sides pushed on late on looking for the vital second goal of the game, but McAuley’s strike was enough to send Chris Coleman’s team into the quarter finals. (IANS)