European Championship
Jun 25, 2016 5.00pm
1
0
HT : 0 0
FT Parc des Princes
  • Neil Taylor 58' yellowcard
  • Gareth McAuley 75' goal
  • Aaron Ramsey 94' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Stuart Dallas 44'
  • yellowcard Steven Davis 67'

Wales boss Chris Coleman: 'Northern Ireland were better than us'

Coleman: 'N. Ireland were better than us'

Wales manager Chris Coleman has conceded that Northern Ireland were the better side in their last-16 win in Paris at Euro 2016.

The Welsh outfit made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time, but it was a single own goal from Gareth McAuley that was the difference.

The defender turned the ball into his own net after Gareth Bale whipped a cross into the six-yard box, aiming for Hal Robson-Kanu.

After the match, Coleman told BBC Sport: "It's amazing. First and foremost commiserations to [Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill] and his team - they were better than us, but we showed a lot of heart and a lot of courage.

"These boys have got that bit of spite and when they're not playing well they hang on. [It was] unbelievable support again today. I would rather be standing here in the quarter-final having not played at our best.

"What [Northern Ireland] do is very difficult to play against, they're dangerous. They were probably the better team today but we showed a lot of courage and a different side to our game."

Wales will face either Belgium or Hungary in the final eight.

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