Michael O’Neill: Northern Ireland too tired to be euphoric

Michael O’Neill admitted Northern Ireland’s Tuesday night celebrations were subdued as they discovered they had advanced to the last 16 at Euro 2016 despite losing to Germany in Paris.

News of Turkey’s 2-0 win over the Czech Republic, a result which ensured Northern Ireland’s spot in the knockout phase, reached O’Neill’s squad prior to their flight back to Lyon, which they made wearily after being given the runaround by a German team that had 71% of possession. The slender 1-0 defeat was enough to see them through, though, and O’Neill was pleased that they did not face a nervous wait last night to discover their fate.

“We’re delighted that we’re not going home,” he said.