Gareth Bale was the creator of the only goal - an own-goal - to put Wales into the European Championship quarterfinals with a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland on Saturday. For much of the game, Northern Ireland successfully nullified the world's most expensive player and the tournament's co-leading scorer with three goals. Bale's cross was aimed at teammate Hal Robson-Kanu but it was inadvertently tipped into the net by Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley in the 75th minute. "It's devastating really," Northern Ireland coach Michael O'Neill said. "They made it difficult for us but we showed a lot of heart, a lot of courage," Wales coach Chris Coleman said.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 25, 2016 18:59 UTC