Baku-APA. Wales reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 as Gareth McAuley's own goal gave them victory over Northern Ireland in a tense second-round encounter, APA reports.
Northern Ireland shackled their opponents with a resolute defensive display and mustered the only two shots on target in a goalless first half.
However, their resistance came to a cruel end when veteran centre-back McAuley turned Gareth Bale's low, whipped cross into his own net.
Playing in their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, Wales will now face Belgium or Hungary in the last eight in Lille on Friday.
That was the stage at which they were knocked out 58 years ago and, although Chris Coleman's side were blunted by their dogged opponents, the scrappy nature of victory and the winning goal will matter little to their jubilant fans.
For Northern Ireland, the manner of defeat was galling, particularly for the 63-cap McAuley, who had scored in the 2-0 group win against Ukraine, which had helped his country reach the second round.
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