EURO 2024Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill delighted despite Germany defeat
MICHAEL O’NEILL was smiling in defeat despite going down to world champions Germany in Paris
Posted Wednesday, June 22, 2016 by Dailystar.co.uk
For despite Mario Gomez' 30th minute winner, O'Neill's Northern Ireland side still qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2016, where they will play Wales or France.
The Czech Republic's 2-0 defeat by Turkey in Group D guaranteed that O'Neill's boys go through as one of the top four third-placed sides.
Keeper Michael McGovern was Ireland's hero, making fantastic saves from Mario Gotze, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller who also hit a post.
Without him, they would be going home early.
However, the Northern Ireland fans sang: "We're not going home" and boss O'Neill said: "We hung in there and Michael had a fantastic night in goal."
It is the first time they have made the knockout stages of a competition since 1982.
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