If there can be a 1-0 rout in soccer, then this was it.
Germany missed a series of clear chances during its narrow win over Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Still, the victory that ensured the 2014 World Cup winner topped Group C and advanced to the knockout stages of the European Championship.
Northern Ireland need not care it lost. Three hours later, its place in the round of 16 was confirmed by Turkey’s 2-0 win against the Czech Republic in Group D.
That ensured Northern Ireland — watched in the stands by former No. 1 golfer Rory McIlroy — will be among the four best third-placed teams to advance.
“What we have done over the three games we have deserved that chance,” Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill said after his team’s one-sided loss.
Germany pounded Northern Ireland, particularly during a frantic passage of play in the first half, but was consistently denied by the woodwork and standout goalkeeper Michael McGovern.
“It was the game of their lives against the world champion,” Germany coach Joachim Low said. “We could have had 3-0 or 4-0 at halftime.”
Only Mario Gomez’s 30th-minute goal separated the teams at the end. Gomez’s side-footed goal from around eight metres owed much to Thomas Muller, whose run across the penalty area drew the goalkeeper and two defenders out of position.
Germany won Group C with seven points and will now meet a third-place team in the next round in Lille.
Northern Ireland progresses too, even though it ended the group in third place with only three points following its earlier victory over Ukraine.
For that, McGovern was crucial under the complex tiebreaker system being used at Euro 2016 for the first time. “If we had to lose, that was the best defeat we could have had,” O’Neill said. We hung in there and we defended great. Michael has had a fantastic night in goal.
“Among his many saves, McGovern stood strong to defy Muller and Mario Goetze twice when they had one-on-one chances. He also pushed away a late Gomez header.
McGovern was little known coming to Euro 2016 yet the goalkeeper who plays for Hamilton in Scotland has been exceptional. Aged 31, McGovern was protected by two 36-year-olds in defence — a hint at the hard-work ethos that has served Northern Ireland well in its first major tournament in 30 years.
