video: Poland 1 – 0 Northern Ireland [Euro 2016] Highlights

Michael O’Neill’s men fought hard despite being outplayed by their Group C rivals, but were eventually undone just after the break to make the end of 12 unbeaten matches

 

A second-half goal from Arkadiusz Milik proved enough for Poland to clinch a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in their Euro 2016 Group C opener on Sunday.

Milik’s 51st-minute strike from the edge of the penalty area secured Poland their first ever win at a European Championship at the seventh attempt.

The result makes it an unlucky 13 for Northern Ireland, who had entered their first major international tournament in 30 years off the back of a 12-match unbeaten run.

Not even the presence of Kyle Lafferty, passed fit to start after overcoming a groin injury picked up in training on Tuesday, could help Northern Ireland find the net at Nice’s Allianz Riviera.

The striker was a spectator in the early stages, as Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland – for whom Robert Lewandowski was quiet – started at a ferocious pace.

With full-backs Artur Jedrzejczyk and Lukasz Piszczek overlapping at every opportunity, they peppered the Northern Irish area with crosses.

Yet for all their pressure, the Poles struggled to break down a resolute defence.

Milik wasted easily the best opportunity before the break, firing over from eight yards out just after the half-hour mark.

Impressive teenager Bartosz Kapustka also forced goalkeeper Michael McGovern into an acrobatic save after teeing himself up for a left-footed drive on the edge of the area.

Northern Ireland, meanwhile, failed to muster an attempt at goal in the first 45 minutes.