25/06/2016 Match of the Day

Good evening, the knockout stages began at Euro 2016 today and we have

three games from the last 16 to bring you tonight in the company

of Northern Ireland and West Brom's Chris Brunt

and the former Wales international Dean Saunders.

And it is with their countries that we begin,

Wales against Northern Ireland in the Parc des Princes,

with a commentary team of Robbie Savage, Gerry Armstrong

and Guy Mowbray. In some ways, it doesn't quite feel

real. It's a major tournament, Wales against Northern Ireland, in Paris.

It is together, stronger, against their to dream. The atmosphere in

the last 48 hours in the capital of France, with Welsh supporters and

Northern Irish supporters, has been quite something to be amongst. For

Wales, the same team that started the round thing of Russia last

Monday with Sam Vokes keeping his place up front, supported by the key

duo of Aaron Ramsey, and of course Gareth Bale, playing three, scoring

in free. Neither player featured in the 1-1 draw between these nations

in the Cardiff friendly at the end of March. Ben Davies and Sam Vokes

coming to the game on a yellow card but this isn't a Daegu tread with

any caution. -- a day to tread. Michael O'Neill has made one change,

with Kyle Lafferty back to the bee attack. Retaking his place from

Washington, who started the last two games. The right back, despite

rumours, are in Hughes -- Aaron Hughes keeps his place. Before the

championship he hadn't kicked off a game since January. All of the

outfield players have been shown up by Michael McGovern, who is saves

have got Northern Ireland to this stage today. Telly was

it looks like because of his stature and because Gareth Bale is good in

the air, they have said to Jonny Evans, when he gets the ball, go and

press him. Bale breezing past but he couldn't

get the crossover. Ledley, not accurate enough in

trying to find Ramsey. There may be something on for Northern Ireland.

Davies, to Ward. Opportunity for Dallas. He met it well and it was

saved well by Wayne Hennessey. Great counterattack football for Northern

Ireland. Resulting in the strike from Dallas, a good fight for

Hennessey, excellent save. Well done. -- a good height. Michael

O'Neill never got the chance to play against Wales and Chris Coleman,

never facing Northern Ireland. As Jerry will be aware, the reigning

British champions, 1984, the final championship was won by Northern

Ireland. -- Gerry Cathcart needing to meet that. Sam Vokes jumps!

Offside, Aaron Ramsey. First impressions, I'm not sure that

Ramsey has to touch it. Great leap from Sam Vokes, look at the power he

gets on it. Ramsey, offside position. Could have beaten the

goalkeeper, not sure. 1975, at Ninian Park these two teams met.

Ramsey getting hold of Jonny Evans. Shot fired. Ooh really flying nicely

too by Jamie Ward. He should be closed down more quickly than that.

It's a good strike and I would think that if I was a Welsh defender I'd

want to get closer. He thought it was going in. There is Mrs Lafferty.

Ramsey a great ball and it is wide from Vokes. Cross of the match and

the chance of the match for the Wales centre forward. What a ball

from Ramsey. He doesn't directly onto the target. Great opportunity.

Sam Vokes, what a chance for Wales. Just shows you how tight this is and

how quickly things can change. Northern Ireland, on top overall,

but they haven't scored and they were nearly behind. Gareth Bale

draws the foul. It is nor would come and you could see that happening

before it actually happened. -- Norwood. You can see it coming, he

is looking for it. Minimal contact. I think it is a free kick. Michael

McGovern was quite superb against Germany. What has he learned from

watching Gareth Bale in the tournament so far? Bale is ready to

hit it. And Bale brings the save from McGovern. He has learned

enough. Gareth Bale ben appeals for handball as Jonny Evans strides away

and finds Jamie Ward. Ward is brought down, Northern Ireland free

kick. We've got a game on now, this is more like it! A good save from

McGovern. On the counterattack, Jamie Ward getting crushed by a

Wales defender. The game has come to life in the 57th minute. It is a

real battle, end to end stuff. This is the safe, good strike and good

goalkeeping by McGovern. It dipped over the wall and he got his body in

the way. Excellent strike from Gareth Bale. We just saw the replay

of the handball, it wasn't. There is a palpable tension in the air.

Nobody wants the trip of a lifetime to end too early. Lafferty on his

way again. Great ball. Kyle Lafferty takes it nicely. That is really good

stuff from Chester. Magnificent defending. Chester using his body.

So careful not to make a bad challenge. Robson-Kanu, he has to be

strong. Bale is behind Ramsey. Bale with another wicked delivery and

it's turned into his own net by Gareth McAuley. Wales in the lead.

And after all this time, after being kept quiet for so long it is Gareth

Bale who has made a big difference. He had time, he had space on the

left-hand side. He whipped it in to a magnificent area. In front of the

goalkeeper, behind the defensive line. Watch this for a ball, whipped

in, McCauley had to go for it and if he didn't, Robson-Kanu was there for

the tap in. It is that man, Gareth Bale. Around the back four. An

lucky. It's all about the delivery, as Robbie said. -- unlucky. I feel

sorry for Gareth McAuley who has had a magnificent game. Everything to do

for Northern Ireland. Can they come back? It is the Wales fans who are

singing in the Paris sunshine. Washington rather telegraphed his

intentions to Williams. Martin Atkinson, he's going to have to stop

it. Northern Ireland will be furious but he had no choice. Yeah that was

a bad collision. But he should have blown it earlier, the referee. Two

players colliding with each other. You have to make sure they are OK.

Bale and Ashley Williams, the captain, the leader. Looks like it's

his shoulder. He is carrying on with that. He'll play through anything.

Three up front now for Northern Ireland. Everything is going to be

thrown at Wales. Corrie Evans has moved forwards, Jonny Evans has

looked further into the middle. Playing lopsided, getting it clear,

Williams. There is no way past Gunter. This is

it. It's going to be an exciting couple of minutes, whatever is on

the clock. Still time and northern island pushing forward in --

Northern Ireland. The Welsh national anthem is being sung around the Parc

des Princes. Out comes Hennessey and what a good catch that is. Great

goalkeeping from Hennessey. He hasn't had much to do in the second

half at all, if anything. Coming through the bodies, taking the

pressure off his team. His captain can't move his left arm. That's what

you need to do. We are into four minutes of additional time. McGinn

is going wide. Plenty in the middle for him. Outnumbered by those in

red. McGinn, stopped by Neil Taylor. Brilliant, Neil Taylor, brilliant!

Stopping the ball coming in the box but now, what a chance. It is

Magennis, winding up the big one. It is close to Hennessey, who got a

good handle on it. Ramsey, he had a hand on Steven Davies to get

Northern Ireland a free kick. And kicking the ball away, getting a

yellow card -- Davis. Last chance for Northern Ireland. One good free

kick, one good delivery is all they've got left. Enough bodies, but

it has to be special. Going to send up the goalkeeper, surely. Not

happening yet. Davis in and Joe Allen got his head to it. McGinn

forcing the corner. Now, Michael McGovern will go. He's on his way.

Michael O'Neill has somewhat reluctantly given him the thumbs up.

Just get the ball away! On to Gareth Bale's forehead. A long look at the

left wrist from Martin Atkinson. It is another Wales Wynne. On they go

to the quarterfinals. -- win. They were together and a bit stronger for

Northern Ireland, who now must dare to dream of another day. This one

was sweet while it lasted. I'm just going to say this, Wales are in the

quarterfinals of the European Championships! Next, it is against

Hungary or Belgium. Don't make any other plans for Friday night.

Quarterfinalists, can you believe it? It's amazing. First and foremost

I have to say commiserations to Michael and his team. They were

better than us today, really, they made it difficult for us. But we

showed a lot of heart and courage. We showed another side to our game.

I don't think there was a lot to the game, disappointed in the manner,

obviously. The way they scored, didn't deserve that, McCauley has

been excellent. We obviously devastated but it has been a great

journey and we can take a lot from the experience. We knew the game is

going to be like that, that's how Northern Ireland might to play, shut

up shop and -- shop and hit on the counterattack. Keep them moving and

tired. We knew we had enough quality where we could get the moment where

we make a goal and actually we did. Mixture of emotions, really. I

thought we deserved to win the game. We had the better chances and the

better played. Football is like that, it can kick you in the teeth.

Proud of our fans, amazing again today and you can see what it means

to us. All credit to Northern Ireland, they've been a credit to

themselves, a tough team to break down and they've done extremely

well. What will you say to Gareth McAuley? Gareth knows is one of

those balls where he had to meet it, he opted to touch it. Gareth has

Bain Everson, not just in this tournament but since I've been the

manager -- has been magnificent. At this stage, you need people who are

warriors and you can't get off Ashley Williams. He's a warrior and

carrying on after the gnocchi had, I doubt many people would have but

that's what he's all about. -- after the knock he had. I'm sure you watch

Belgium and Hungary with great interest. Any preference? No, we are

going to enjoy the moment, enjoy tonight and we will watch the game

with interest of course. No matter who gets through between Belgium and

Hungary, it will be a difficult game but we are happy we are there and

we'll keep fighting. STUDIO: Chris Coleman said when

Wales don't play well the boys have spirit, was its spirit that got them

through? Yes, I just can't believe what's happened after where we've

come from, I didn't think we'd get through the qualifying stages. It

made it easier with three teams qualifying but I thought when we got

here we won't make it through that group and we will have to play well

to get through it, and we've won the group and we are in the last 16 all

of a sudden. Nobody in Wales can believe it. As far as Wales and

Northern Ireland are concerned, you saw the players afterwards, can you

describe the mood? They were gutted, we've worked our socks off all

tournament, coming off the back of a 12 match unbeaten run, losing three

out of four games but you need to see what Aaron Ramsey said about the

credit we have done ourselves and the fans. It's been a fantastic

experience. Today we didn't deserve to lose the game. Did they feel it

was there for the taking? I think so. But obviously on chances created

there wasn't an awful lot in the game, it wasn't the best game we've

probably seen all tournament but it is unfortunate Gareth was on the end

of the cross. It is a difficult situation, you were both saying, it

is a split-second for a defender to decide whether to try to clear it

whether to let it go and take the risk that the striker misses it.

Well, for me, he did nothing wrong. It is just a brilliant cross, the

first one goes in. Wales pick up the second ball, Williams who has come

on and done really well found space, rolled in a great ball to

Robson-Kanu, who held it up well, laid it off, Gareth Bale found some

room for once and this cross is a brilliant cross. You cannot let that

ball run, he knows Robson-Kanu is behind him, if you look at him now,

Robson-Kanu will get on the end of it but Gareth McAuley can't see him

and he has to put his leg out. That could have gone over the bar,

unfortunately for him it was such a good ball it has gone into the net

off his foot but he had to stick out his leg, for me. I'm with Dean on

that one, you can take chance and letting it go but he knows

Robson-Kanu is behind him and I was gutted for him. He's had such a

fantastic performance and fantastic qualifying campaign for us as well.

If there is one person that didn't deserve that it is proper Pigem. Do

you both think when he drifted to the left that was when he cause

problems. They cause problems to Jonny Evans in particular. When he

was on that side of the pitch Jonny Evans stepped in aggressively and

didn't give tail much room. We can see on the clips where the goals

came from, he drifted out there for a couple of minutes and that is

where the goal has come from. It is a fantastic cross, there is not a

lot you can do about it. He had to go deep in the first half to get

space. He's struggling to make any impact. He's coming deep to the

left, deep to the right, left-wing, right-wing, trying to get on the

ball and Aaron Ramsey doing the same. Because Northern Ireland are

so organised and tight as a group of players, he can't get through them.

Every time the ball came near him three players surrounded him. Jonny

Evans was told before the game obviously if he gets it, be on him,

tight, don't worry what is behind you and they were robbing the ball

from him. You always felt during the game, because in every game we watch

he does something like this. That was the plan. Jonny Evans on him.

Yes, try and deny him space on the ball and stop him running at you.

For 99% of the game and we did that. That's the quality of player you are

dealing with, Gareth is a fantastic player and the opportunity he had to

put the ball in behind, he did it with such quality and pace, that was

the difference between the teams. Northern Ireland had the better

chances, you could argue, with the ones we are going to see with Alice

and Ward and Lafferty, and Chris Coleman said they were the better

team. -- hours. Where do Northern Ireland go from here? Do you think

there is now greater expectation for the 2018 World Cup and

qualification? I would say so. There is more expectation definitely from

the fans. They've had a lot of success over the last couple of

years. I can't remember the last time we lost a game at Windsor Park.

The next World Cup qualifying campaign, there will be the onus on

us to continue what we did in the European games. That is a good

thing, you want Windsor Park to be that fortress but also to have a

buzz about it when you play qualifying games. Yes, if you've

been there it is a fantastic place when the crowd are behind us and we

are giving them something to shout about and hopefully we can learn

from the experience. It's been a fantastic experience for everybody

involved and we will take that into the World Cup games. It is

Belgium or hungry out of those two but the qualifying record against

Belgium is good with four points out of six. Yes, we have beaten them.

Obviously they have the best players in the tournament and if they get it

together they can beat anyone but they cannot seem to get it together

on a regular basis. Looking ahead, we have a route through to the

semifinal. If we... We didn't play well today, Northern Ireland were

the better team. And I thought they could have got something out of it.

But we had those moments of magic, Ramsey hit one cross in and Gareth

Bale the other cross, that was the difference between the teams. If you

get to this semifinal do you think Robbie Savage will be unbearable? He

is already! Good point! Next to a game between

two group runners up. Poland finished behind Germany,

Switzerland were second The two met in Saint-Etienne

and were watched by Jonathan Pearce COMMENTATOR: Saint Etienne is the

staging post for the second phase, time for the tournament to get on

its bike, a recall on the Swiss side for severity should in place of

Embolo upfront. He lacked mobility in the opening games. Schar will

have to be more guarded at centre-back. The full-backs haven't

gone forward as much as we thought. Xhaka has passed well but often from

two deep. Stoke's Shaqiri much improved against France as Danny

Murphy said but substituted for a third time. Dzemaili has looked

better and they are confident of winning a first game ever in a

knockout stage of any major finals. Poland revert to their strongest

line-up, the return of Piszczek, the best Bundesliga right-back of the

season. Blaszczykowski back to his pretournament best. Grosicki plays

in Rennes. Milik has looked very good. All eyes on loan. Skeete. At

the other end Fabianski of the Swansea hasn't conceded in 434

minutes. Lovely day the pitch looks great, and off we go in the knockout

stages of Euro 2016. On paper it looks like a gruelling clash. We

will wait and see. Outcomes Yahn Sommer, their Man of the Match

against France, some flying saves, and once or twice his judgment calls

have been sluggish. That was a risky throw and low in Boesky almost got

in but it is over by Milik and Switzerland getting themselves into

a right old state at the start. Milik should score, quite simply he

has to score. Here is Rodriguez cutting inside.

Look at the space down there. Can he fly down the left-hand side? He

has left Behrami behind him and nipped inside Schar. Behrami got

back in the end, he dug in deep. Very direct, leaning in to make sure

Behrami clear as it. Lewandowski on the edge of the six yard area, about

the back, Krychowiak. At the very least, you've got to hit the target.

No free kick given. The Swiss fans howl, they thought he had fouled his

man. Great ball as well. Low-end of ski. Piszczek again. Are

sick of ski is wide. -- loan. Skeete. Lewandowski was in the

middle. Milik! Schar. Rodriguez aid a run. Glik was in the middle. --

made a run. Good pressure. This one will curl away, Djourou is

up at the back. The scorer from the opening game is in there as well.

Curled into the big centre-half, and he almost got another. He only

succeeded in heading it down into the ground. Either side of

Fabianski, it is 1-0 to Switzerland. Lots of space here for Behrami.

Shaqiri enjoys himself when he gets more involved. Just picking up the

spaces. Dzemaili, thought about the shot, he gets the shot away and it

is tipped over by Fabianski. He was always going to save it, just had to

make the decision of when to jump and tip it over. Swizzle and playing

with intent. Decent cross, Djourou up at the back, headed away by the

right-back, not away yet, Djourou again!

And now Poland can break. Grosicki, to take on Behrami. Lovely bowl,

Blaszczykowski. 1-0, Poland. -- lovely ball. Blaszczykowski. Six

minutes before the half-time, classic counter, Switzerland didn't

get bodies back in time. His second goal in two games, he came on

against Ukraine as a substitute and scored. It's amazing how many teams

can be dangerous against themselves after set pieces. Switzerland never

really recovered. Rate play. -- great play.

Here is Shaqiri to the dead-ball line. His touch let him down. Always

stretching to get the cross to pull back. Schar is up there. It is aimed

towards him, towards the far post. He gets a little bit lucky, Pazdan.

Dzemaili. Shaqiri! Good shot, parried away almost with nonchalance

by Fabianski. But a brilliant move. Cutting inside on his left foot you

know it is coming. Poland have two whether this footballing storm.

Logic of ski. Onto his left foot. Good save by summer. That is how he

scored his second goal against Ukraine, terms of coming in on his

left foot. -- Blaszczykowski. Lichtsteiner. Bundled over. Tired

challenge gives Switzerland a free kick from missing ski. Lewandowski

is the only player outside the box. -- missing ski clinics blended piece

of goalkeeping. Everybody has got to come up for

this. Shaqiri with it, 12 minutes to go. It has gone beyond, handball? It

is put back in, Djourou with the shot, and it came off the bar!

Seferovic has had an absolute stinker. Shaqiri. Thinking about

playing it into feet. He's been much better second half. Rodriguez with a

good block. Blaszczykowski, the goal-scorer. Lichtsteiner has come

to the left wing, the right-back, in this formation. Separate pitch with

the touch. Shaqiri! What about that?! Stunning! Absolutely

stunning! The little man has opened up the magic box and produced a

piece of wizardry. It is the proverbial goal out of nothing.

Absolutely fantastic finish. That is a candidate for goal of the

tournament. No great movement on the edge of the

box. Shaqiri can see movement from Derdiyok. Rulli and goalkeeping.

What a chance that is -- brilliant goalkeeping. Seferovic, he's got

stronger as the game goes on. Looking for Derdiyok. The ball

breaks and he just can't sort his feet out because he's still

in-flight. Aimee Mann and it is built away from

the goalkeeper and Schar clears it -- aiming it. It just wouldn't drop.

First penalty of Euro 2016, Lichtsteiner was Whitland -- for

Switzerland. As simple as that. Haunted finals for Lewandowski? Oh,

brilliant. Great penalty. For a man allegedly with no confidence, that

is a fantastic penalty. Left footed. Xhaka, way, way wide.

He just smashed it into the crowd. He's absolutely nowhere near. One of

the worst penalties you'll see in an international spot kick shoot out.

That's a shocker. Poland could have the advantage. Milik. Keeper got a

hand to it but he couldn't keep it out. Advantage Poland. Xherdan

Shaqiri of Stoke City and Switzerland. Very well done. Never

in doubt, really. He screamed it in but the goalkeeper

gave it a valiant effort. Schar, who scored Switzerland's first goal of

these finals. Pressure on. The centre-half. Oh neatly done, sir.

Bedzikowski, who scored the Polish goal. And he doesn't miss --

Blaszczykowski. That means that Rodriguez will have to score. Scored

three for his club this season from the spot, what Uighurs. To keep

Switzerland in it, a stuttering run. Well put away. No pressure now,

then! Krychowiak. They say that he is the glue that keeps Poland

together. Can he send them through. Krychowiak, to win it for Poland.

And he does! Poland into the quarterfinals for the first time

ever. Swiss hearts, broken. STUDIO: Nine very good penalties and one

dreadful one. Yes, don't want to bang on too much, we've all been

there at one stage of our career. Unfortunate that somebody has to

miss one. Unfortunate for Switzerland but they go out having

stored possibly the goal of the tournament so far. Maybe Mark Hughes

at Stoke is giving Shaqiri some coaching. He is the only other

player I've seen anything -- doing anything like this. Ari and overhead

kick, how he gets the powerful where he is. Mark use, his manager, could

do things like that -- Mark Hughes. To get in that position and the

power, incredible. Is it the power that is the most impressive thing?

Yeah, definitely, I think so, and going away from the goal as well. He

has timed it perfectly. He was a left-back! Asking him from the left

point of view. Even to think about attempting it, fantastic goal and as

you said, it is disappointing for him to be going home after scoring

such a good goal. It gets to the point where you start losing some of

the best players in the tournament and he is one player you don't want

to see going home because he is bang on form. He was brilliant. The

Poland goal was a good goal for different reasons, a very good

counterattacking goal from Blaszczykowski. Yes, Fabianski just

starting it off. Rosicky coming down the wing. I think the Swiss player

Scott Quigg -- got caught a bit goal watching. Rodriguez, he never really

opened up his body to see the player coming behind. Would you give Milik

credit for the run he makes? Yeah, he occupies Rodrigues to give

Blaszczykowski the chance to pick his spot. It's a great finish as

well. Robert Lewandowski, when you look at his stats, he appears to

have struggled in this tournament. They discussed in the commentary

whether it is his confidence or not. What do you think? I've been there

myself, in his position. He's a great player, great finisher, it's

just not happening for him. Sometimes the harder you try, the

worse it gets. Some instances we are going to look at now where you start

snatching, you start losing your belief when the ball comes to you

that it's going to work. Look at that, it is just a snatch. He's

trying too hard. It's not happening for him. He looks weak at times.

That's a bit of a worry. But we know he's a good player. Again, he's

trying things, trying to force things. Do you think, quite a few of

these clips, obviously not there, but he is isolated a little bit? And

that is the life of a modern-day striker. You would have often played

in a pair but modern-day strikers don't often do that. Yeah he is

missing his partner in Germany. He's still better what we've seen. They

are still in the tournament and I think they will come good, if he

scores one goal, his belief will come back and he starts relaxing and

is that of snatching you are going to strike through the ball. It is a

more solitary role? Yes, he plays it well, it is just the tournament,

things haven't fallen for him yet but one goal, things can change

quickly for him. You said to me, you are a bit frightened of criticising

him because he is that good. One goal could turn it around. I think

his all-round play as well, generally, watching him in the group

game, when we played against them in Nice, we did a good job on him but

he was unselfish, he created space for other people and he held up the

ball well, getting other players into the game. You probably don't

see much of that from those clips, but his all-round game, fantastic

striker. And finally to a side who have

been one of the most impressive here in France.

Croatia beat Spain to top their group and their reward

was a game against Portugal, who had finished third in theirs.

Simon Brotherton was in Lens. COMMENTATOR: Croatia's confidence

could hardly be higher after ending Spain's 14 game unbeaten run in

their last match, but Portugal getting here the hard way, behind

three times against Hungary before gaining the point needed to get out

of the group. If Croatia were the underdogs against Spain, they will

be the slight favourites here, despite facing the match-winning

presence of Cristiano Ronaldo. Croatia welcoming back Luka Modric,

who missed the Spain game with a groin injury. Strinic and Vida

restored to the defence. Mandzukic is preferred to Kalanic, who started

and scored against Spain. Portugal's line-up shows four changes included

three in the backline with a first appearance of the tournament for

Fonte and Cedric. Guerreiro returns from injury and Silva getting the

nod in midfield over Coutinho. It is his first appearance of the Euros.

Almost giving it away. Ronaldo acknowledges that the court Srna. --

he caught him. Early threat here from Portugal. The first threat from

Portugal. Away come Croatia on the break with Modric. Not for long.

Suddenly the mass looks like it might be opening up. Joao Mario,

finding Ronaldo. Free kick conceded by Perisic.

Subasic has had nothing to do, just passing the halfway point of the

first half. There was a free header for Pepe. First chance of the

evening. Free kick whipped in, he was offside as ball came in. Nani is

in possession but only momentarily and the chase is on now. Here goes

Perisic. Creating the shooting chance. But only finding the side

netting on this occasion. Having started on the left, he is now

enjoying cutting in from the right hand side, really testing the rarer

-- Guerreiro. Srna. His leg was trodden on by

Fonte after the ball had gone. Just watch this. Challenging for it,

coming up now. Oh, that was a nasty one from Fonte. The ball was nowhere

near him. Fonte is lucky to get away with that. Barely a chance at either

end worthy of the name. Rakitic moving forwards down the left-hand

side. Brozovic making the run, Strinic with the ball in but it is

away by Fonte. For a moment it looked as if it might open up for

Croatia inside the Portuguese penalty area.

Well played by Perisic. Strinic going for the return from Mandzukic.

It is a decent ball as well and Brozovic was nearly on the end of

it. That was much better from Croatia. Brozovic racing into the

centre, Strinic playing the ball in and Brozovic blasting the shot over

the crossbar from the corner. Croatia, quick with the corner

towards Brozovic but over the top of the bar.

Sanchez, through to Joao Mario. He did the hard bit, in a way, Sanches,

but not the final shot. No one with a shot on target and we played for

nearly an hour. Modric continuing to probe. The Croatian players realise

and feel that for the current generation this is their

opportunity. This tournament here, for this generation. Srna's ball in.

Just wide. Vida was racing in. Still digesting that as he goes to the

halfway line again. Getting up well. Might have been better if it landed

on the head of Mandzukic, who was just behind him. The team is

continuing to cancel each other out here. -- teams. Was a pitch can't

find Mandzukic. Nani, the Portugal. -- Brozovic. Adrian Silva with the

flick towards Nani. Portugal claiming they should get a penalty

kick. Nani staying on the ground. He was back on the ship by Strinic.

Rakitic with the delivery -- on the hip. Coming off Ronaldo. A

thoroughly underwhelming 90 minutes is brought to a conclusion by the

Spanish referee and these two teams will have to fight it out for at

least another 30 minutes. Towards Rakitic, holding off Carr

Valley O. Bit of a stretch for Fonte and now it's with Kalanic, who

snatched at that one. Skewing it horribly wide. Fonte found himself

in a difficult position. Just beaten by the run of the ball.

Marcelo Brozovic. It was a poorer ball to Ivan Perisic who did rather

well to get something out of it. Even he is feeling the strain. A

rare opportunity from this corner kick the fifth corner of the night.

Vida tries to lift the crowd. Brozovic with the delivery. Rui

Patricio falls over and it's over the top from Domagala Vida. Rui

Patricio will be a relieved man. Up towards Brozovic. Pepe overcommitted

and now he has to strain every sinew to get back. Great chance, it

couldn't quite be turned on by Nikola Kalinic. Marko Pjaca is

therefore Croatia, they've got the throw. It was just out of reach for

Kalinic in the centre. The moments of activity inside the penalty area

and it has hit the post! And Perisic can't quite reach it. Ross of its is

there. Strinic now. -- Brozovic. Croatia are realising penalties are

very much on the horizon, but have they overcommitted themselves? It is

Renato Sanches for Portugal, Nani to his left and Ronaldo to his right,

Nani collects the ball, Ronaldo with a chance to win it but it is the

head of Ricardo Quaresma who has surely won the match for Portugal,

deep in extra time. We only have four minutes to play. Finally,

someone has an effort on target and finally we have a breakthrough in

the game, a game in which frankly neither side deserved to win. And

there is every chance he could be the matchwinner now because Renato

Sanches, Nani one side and Ronaldo the other, and Nani played the ball

through and Ronaldo was onside but for once he couldn't score and he

was denied by Danijel Subasic who made the save. But Quaresma was on

the spot at the right place and right time, the easiest header of

his career. Croatia trying to carve out just one last chance to save

their tournament, Srna with the cross.

Andrej Kramaric is down. Free kick. And Quaresma, the goal-scorer, the

player who concedes the free kick, puts his team on the back foot now.

Danijel Subasic, the goalkeeper, is coming up for this one in the last

minute of added time. Srna is underneath it and Raphael Guerreiro

does really well. Modric now. Srna at one last cross, one last chance,

Perisic goes up, there is a scramble and it is wide from McCoy Vida. And

I think that will be that for Croatia. -- Domagoj Vida. Vida

couldn't quite steer the ball inside the far post. Agonisingly wide. And

Croatia's hopes are over at this European Championships. They

promised so much, they looked so good, but when it got to be first

knockout stage, they failed to deliver. Joy for Portugal, they go

through, they will play in the quarterfinal in Marseille next

Thursday. But it was a long, long night. The Final Score Croatia 0-1

Portugal. I'm surprised they got ten minutes

of highlights out of the game because it was awful, the first shot

on target was in the 116th minute and all of the excitement came in

one minute in extra time. Considering the players that were on

show that was the worst Game Of The Day. It was awful. As the

commentator said it was an hour before there was a shot on target.

This was unbelievable luck. They have hit the post, 20 seconds later

the ball ends up in the net. And if you look at it closely, it's Ronaldo

and Quaresma, the two Centre forwards of Portugal, watch their

runs, they make a 90 yard sprint and if any but he wonders why you have

to be fit to be a footballer, look at Ronaldo, he's got on the end of

that ball after defending in his own half and Quaresma gets the tap in.

He was closing across down at the other end of the pitch. I don't

think Nani meant to cross the ball. I don't think so, it is a topo,

Ronaldo in the right place at the right time, fantastic save by the

goalkeeper, looking up from the ground when he saw Quaresma tapping

it in he must have been devastated. This must show it is a topo.

Otherwise it's the best disguised pass you will see in the tournament,

surely -- toe poke. Ronaldo is arguably the best player in the

world and his fitness levels in injury time. 117th minute. And

closing the ball down. It feels like a missed opportunity for Croatia,

who arguably were the best, as I said earlier, team in the group

stages. Yes, and to be fair the goal they have conceded came from them

trying to have a go at winning the game. Obviously it's nice to see the

positive, but they left themselves open to the counterattack. We've

seen lots of counterattacking goals in the tournament, it is a big part

of football and they've been done by it. It is the England Portugal

quarterfinal and you said whether Wales get Belgium or hungry, they

must be thinking tonight we have a chance. Who? Poland? Wales!

LAUGHTER Yes, we are. I said the new target,

the target was to get out of the group and the new target has got to

be semi-finals, Noghes respect to Northern Ireland, they were better

than us today but we had a great chance to beat them and we've beaten

and drawn with Belgium the last two meetings and there's no reason why

we can't get through that. What happened with Croatia shows when you

get to the knockout stages it is useless predicting what might

happen. Of course and you've seen how the two halves of the draw have

panned out so Wales have a great chance to make the semifinal, and as

been said before the tournament you wouldn't have expected that. Is the

great thing about knockout football. Three games tomorrow again

but all eyes in this country will be in Lyon where France take

on the Republic of Ireland. COMMENTATOR: It is another epic

night for the Republic of Ireland. I'm really pleased for the players,

the manager, the staff, the supporters. We had a strong feeling

in the dressing room and we wanted to stay longer, we were not ready to

go home yet. COMMENTATOR: In it comes and Brady is in and the

Republic of Ireland have scored. I really felt players wanted to give

the supporters a night to remember. And they did. I think everyone

really enjoyed it. I think we are the oldest squad at the Euros, and

we've also got some good young players. Brady, Hendrick, people

like that. You talk about underdogs, who do you mean by underdogs? To me

there have been no real surprises, the teams that have done well have

had a chance of getting out of their groups. The big challenge is with

the format and seedings, there is a big challenge for the so-called

underdogs, the lesser teams. Griezmann saves the day for France.

It will be the hardest game, no doubt, the host nation, less days to

recover, a lot of really good players who looked like they are

enjoying the tournament and the pressure of being the home nation,

it doesn't seem to be getting them but hopefully it might get them on

Sunday, let's hope so. France against the Republic of

Ireland is the first game tomorrow and you can hear it on 5 live, as is

the case with Germany against Slovakia and you can watch Hungary

against Belgium at 7:30pm on BBC One and the games are on the website and

on the app. Thank you to Dean and Chris. Not the greatest day of

football but then if you are Welsh you don't care about that, the

quarterfinals await. Night. Good evening everyone, from the Parc

des Princes. It's time to discover which will be

the first home nation to fly the flag into the last eight.

Opportunity for Dallas. Sam Vokes jumps, and offside, Aaron Ramsey, as

he turns the ball in. In games like this, it's one moment

of magic from a special player. Ramsey Gradel! And its wide from

Vokes. Wale is ready to hit it. Wale brings a save from McGovern. We've

got a game on now! Us Bale. Great delivery, turned into his own net by

Gareth McAuley! It is another Wales win and on