Northern Ireland fans
Photo: Asif Burhan<\/p><\/div>\n

Follow Scott Nicholls on Twitter: @scottnicholls<\/em><\/p>\n

Started from the bottom, now they\u2019re here. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not only is this round of sixteen clash historic because it is the first time that these two nations have faced each other in a major tournament knockout round \u2014 it\u2019s also now <\/i>going to be billed by press in Britain as \u201cLeave versus Remain\u201d after a slight majority of British voters decided to leave the European Union via a referendum vote on June 23rd.<\/span><\/p>\n

This knockout round clash also marks the first time either side has been to the knockout rounds of a tournament since the 1958 World Cup. Incidentally in that World Cup both <\/i>nations made it through and England did not. Northern Ireland were trounced by eventual winners France 4-0, and Brazil squeaked past Wales 1-0 \u2014 Pele knocked them out that day. Fans of both countries will be hoping that there isn\u2019t another 58 year gap until their next knockout round appearance. <\/span><\/p>\n

Wales are mot definitely the favorite going into this game \u2014 their performance against Russia was dominant. It wasn’t just one of the best performances of the tournament, it was lauded by many as Wales\u2019 finest every footballing performance. Gareth Bale scored \u2014 obviously \u2014 in that game, becoming Wales\u2019 leading scorer all time at major tournaments. He also became the first player to score in all three group games since Ruud Van Nistelrooy achieved the same feat in 2004. <\/span><\/p>\n

Wales\u2019 record at major tournaments is actually staggering. They have lost only two of the eight games they have played in major international tournaments, and they\u2019ve lost them by just a one goal margin. Once in 1958 (1-0) to Pele and Brazil, and once to England recently in the group stage when Daniel Sturridge\u2019s late, late goal condemned them to a 2-1 loss. <\/span><\/p>\n

Wales haven\u2019t really been given the credit they deserve at this tournament \u2014 present company included. They have trailed their opponent for just two minutes and thirty one seconds up until now; they were the joint top scorers in the group stages with Hungary; and had 22 shots on target throughout the group stage \u2014 more than any other team<\/span><\/p>\n

Gareth Bale has been the catalyst behind Wales\u2019 success, of course, but you cannot count out the duet of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen. The midfield duo have been easily the best central midfield pairing in the tournament \u2014 Aaron Ramsey has scored or assisted 3 of Wales\u2019 last 5 goals, while Joe Allen just keeps the Dragon heart beating in the centre of the park. He has bounced back tremendously from a few seasons under much scrutiny after a big money move to Liverpool which had been until this point a relative failure. <\/span><\/p>\n

Northern Ireland has always been a bit unconventional, and their path to the knockout rounds has been par for the course as you\u2019d expect. Michael\u00a0O\u2019Neill\u2019s team are markedly lucky to be where they are now, but what matters at tournaments is you play the game and grind out the result. Nobody remembers the way you played to win \u2014 they just remember that you win, after all. <\/span><\/p>\n

Northern Ireland have the worst possession percentage (28%) of all teams at Euro 2016; the worst in total shots (17); the worst in completed passes (412 \u2014 Spain, for examples sake, has completed 1800+); and pass completion in the final third (42%). It\u2019s an unconventional way to approach playing at a major international tournament, whether they can help it or not is another conversation, but they are one game <\/i>away from a Quarter Final match in a major tournament. If it\u2019s not broke \u2014 don\u2019t fix it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Michael\u00a0O\u2019Neill will likely be reliant again on the brilliance of Michael McGovern to steer his side past Gareth Bale and Wales after his man of the match performance against Germany, which essentially sent the Northern Irish men through to the knockout rounds on goal difference. <\/span><\/p>\n

It would be one of the upsets of the tournament if O\u2019Neill\u2019s men pulled it off, but it would be a belated victory for the \u201cLeave\u201d campaign\u2026 although it won\u2019t change Britain\u2019s decision to stay in Europe. Chris Coleman will be looking for the sort of performance that he got from his team against Russia in their last group stage game. If Wales wins comfortably, maybe Coleman will even let his team go out for their second beer of the tournament. <\/span><\/p>\n

Team News <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Both teams have fully fit squads to choose from today for this round of sixteen clash. <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Wales yellow cards: Vokes, Davies. <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Northern Ireland yellow cards: Cathcart, Dallas, Evans, Ward. <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Follow Scott Nicholls on Twitter: @scottnicholls Started from the bottom, now they\u2019re here. Not only is this round of sixteen clash historic because it is the first time that these two nations have faced each other in a major tournament knockout round \u2014 it\u2019s also now going to be billed by press in Britain as<\/p>\n