Wales 1 Northern Ireland 0: Gareth McAuley’s own goal sends the Dragons through to Euro 2016 quarter-finals and breaks Irish hearts
West Brom defender suffers nightmare as Welsh march on to the last eight after tight clash in Paris
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GARETH MCAULEY'S own goal broke Northen Ireland hearts and sent Wales through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
Unlucky West Brom defender McAuley turned into his own net after 75 minutes in a desperate attempt to stop Wales scoring through sub Hal Robson-Kanu.
And that was enough to settle a cagey match in Paris as Wales continued to enjoy a stunning tournament in France.
They now face the winners of the last 16 game between Belgium and Hungary in the last eight on Friday night in Lille.
Wales came into this game as big favourites after topping Group B, but they appeared to be struggling with the pressure of the occasion early on as the Irish settled better.
And only a sharp save at his near post from Wayne Hennessey denied Stuart Dallas the opening goal of the game after ten minutes.
Then on their first real attack of the game 19 minutes in, Chris Coleman's side thought they had taken the lead through Aaron Ramsey.
Neil Taylor's cross to the far post was headed back centrally where Ramsey arrived to touch home - only for referee Martin Atkinson to rightly rule the goal out for offside.
Northern Ireland then went close again through Jamie Ward, who saw his 20-yard shot tipped over the crossbar by Crystal Palace keeper Hennessey.
Bale had been largely anonymous in the first half, as Michael O'Neill's side doubled up to ensure he had little time and space on the ball to make an impact.
But Dallas overstepped the mark just before the break with a strong challenge that earned the first yellow card of the game - a booking that meant he would miss the quarter-final if the Irish got there.
The Welsh first half display was a real disappointment, and Coleman would have had words with his players asking them to up the intensity and quality.
And that clearly had an effect after the break as Wales finally began to assert themselves onto what had been an otherwise drab game.
Only eight minutes had passed before Sam Vokes wasted a great chance to put his side ahead, but the striker could only head wide of target after a pinpoint ball from Ramsey.
Finally Bale got onto the ball in an advanced position, drawing a free-kick from Ward 25-yards-out.
The Welsh fans waited in expectation as Bale struck, but Northen Ireland keeper Michael McGovern was quick to react and parried the ball away.
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Northen Ireland were starting to find it tough to gain a foothold in midfield as Wales began to exert more pressure.
And fifteen minutes before then end, Coleman's side made the breakthrough that had looked on the cards.
Ramsey fed Bale out on the left, and the Real star whipped in a fierce low cross into the area into the corridor defenders hate.
McAuley knew Robson-Kanu was arrived to connect so stretched out a leg to intercept, only to turn the ball into his own net.
There was nothing else McAuley could have done but it meant Northern Ireland had just 15 minutes left to keep their Euro dreams alive.
Any hopes Wales had for a comfortable finish were dashed when captain Ashley Williams collided with teammate Jonny Williams, leaving the defender receiving extended treatment.
The Swansea defender insisted on playing on even though his left arm looked badly damaged, and the Irish knew they had to target the Welsh centre-back.
But despite throwing everything, including goalkeeper McGovern into attack, there was nothing they could do as Wales held out for the win.
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
STAR MAN - JAMES CHESTER (Wales)
WALES: Hennessey 7, Vokes 6, Gunter 6, Bale 7, A Williams 7, Davies 7, Taylor 6, Chester 8, Ramsey 7, Allen 7, Ledley 6. Subs: Robson-Kanu for Vokes 6, J Williams for Ledley 6) BOOKED: N Taylor, Ramsey.
NORTHERN IRELAND: McGovern 6, Ward 6, Norwood 6, Dallas 6, Lafferty 6, Hughes 6, C Evans 6, J Evans 7, McAuley 6, Cathcart 6, Davis 6. Subs: Washington for Ward 6, Norwood for McGinn 6, McAuley for Magennis 5. BOOKED: Dallas, Davis.