Northern Ireland vs Germany match report: Michael McGovern heroics keep Irish eyes smiling into last sixteen

Northern Ireland 0 Germany 1: Goalie keeps Green Army afloat after Gomez's early strike

Michael McGovern put in a superb display to keep the German score down on Tuesday (Getty)

Michael McGovern almost ended Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 dream with a howler during a 1-1 draw against Hungary last September, yet nine months on, the goalkeeper secured legendary status for his country with a heroic performance against Germany to help secure a second round tie against France or Wales.

Despite being beaten by Mario Gomez’s first-half strike in the Parc des Princes, McGovern’s catalogue of saves for Michael O’Neill’s team proved crucial in staving off the heavy defeat which could have proved disastrous for Northern Ireland’s hopes of qualifying as one of the four best third-placed teams in France.

But with the Czech Republic failing to defeat Turkey in Tuesday's late match - and Turkey also not winning by four clear goals, Northern Ireland had their qualification confirmed and will face either the hosts in Lyons or Wales in Paris on Saturday.

Northern Ireland have always had to punch above their weight in football terms and their record against Germany prior to this game was that of the minnow they undoubtedly are.

Two 1-0 victories, just 12 months apart in 1982 and 1983, against what was West Germany were the sum total of Northern Ireland’s efforts against the Germans, but those wins achieved by Billy Bingham’s iconic team of the 1980s at least gave O’Neill and his players a hook to attach any hope of defeating the world champions.

But notwithstanding the achievements of Bingham’s team, this fixture was clearly a moment in Northern Irish history and the province’s sporting royalty was at the Parc des Princes to watch from the stands.

Norman Whiteside, who erased Pele from the record books to become the World Cup’s youngest-ever player as a 17-year-old in 1982, was in Paris, as was golfer Rory McIlroy, sporting a George Best T-shirt in the expensive seats.

Thomas Muller endured a frustrating afternoon in Paris, hitting both the post and the crossbar (Getty)

But when it came to the task facing Northern Ireland, this was akin to Barry McGuigan taking on Wladimir Klitschko. Yes, the underdogs had the fight, but power usually overwhelms and the German was not short on imposing muscle.

Northern Ireland started brightly, however, attempting to mix it with Joachim Low’s players, prompting their noisy supporters to chant, ‘It’s just like watching Brazil.’

The only problem with that is that Germany routed the Brazilians 7-1 in Belo Horizonte two years ago, so it may actually served as encouragement to the Euro 2016 favourites rather than a warning.

Still, as England discovered against Slovakia in Saint Etienne on Monday, resolute opponents must be overcome with goals and Germany may have feared they were destined for the kind of frustration endured by Roy Hodgson’s players as chance after chance went begging in the early stages.

McGovern initially repelled everything that the Germans could throw at him, with the Hamilton Academical goalkeeper denying Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil and Mario Gotze before 12 minutes had elapsed.

With only Conor Washington up-front, Northern Ireland could barely escape their defensive third and when they did, the Queen's Park Rangers forward was so isolated that he was quickly surrounded by giants in white shirts who almost toyed with him as he attempted to find a team-mate.

But it was largely a case of Northern Ireland trying to hold out and stem wave after wave of German attacks.

Ozil swept a left foot effort over the bar, Muller shot wide and headed against the post, with only Jamie Ward testing Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with a tame 25-yard strike.

Germany’s breakthrough finally came on 29 minutes, however, when Ozil, Muller and Gomez combined before the Besiktas forward opened the scoring with a left-foot effort which was deflected into the net off the leg of Gareth McAuley.

Northern Ireland’s task had now become so much more difficult, but maintaining their concentration was crucial with O’Neill’s team still fighting to secure second round qualification with a third-place finish in Group C.

Mario Gomez celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game in the first half (Getty)

Goal difference would be key, but the Germans were not in the mood to dish out favours. On they went, foot firmly on the pedal, looking to add to their solitary goal.

Muller hit the bar, Gomez scuffed a shot into the arms of McGovern and the screw continued to be tightened. Gotze was denied by McGovern early in the second-half before Sami Khedira became the next German to encounter a goalkeeper who enjoying the performance of his career.

McGovern needed some respite, though, and it came in flashes – Steven Davis broke forward, only to be smothered by German defenders before Jonny Evans headed a corner – celebrated as though it were a goal – over the crossbar.

O’Neill replaced the exhausted Washington with Kyle Lafferty on 59 minutes in an attempt to sharpen his team’s cutting edge, but it was a big ask of the Norwich City forward.

That change was swiftly followed by the introduction of Josh Magennis, the Kilmarnock forward, and it enabled Northern Ireland to pose physical questions of Germany’s back four.

Both Lafferty and Magennis made their presence felt, but Neuer continued to watch on like a half-interested spectator.

The Bayern Munich ‘keeper will have admired McGovern’s contribution, however, and the Northern Irishman topped off his heroic performance with a stunning full-stretch save from Gomez eight minutes from time.

With Northern Ireland's progression to the second round later confirmed, McGovern will never be allowed to forget his night in Paris.