A second-half strike from Arkadiusz Milik proved to be the difference as Poland secured a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in the opening game in Group C at Euro 2016.
After dominating the opening 45 minutes, Poland finally broke the deadlock when Milik found the bottom corner from 12 yards and Northern Ireland could not find a response during the remaining 39 minutes.
Michael O'Neill's side struggled to create opportunities against an impressive Polish backline and they must now regroup before Thursday's meeting with Ukraine.
Read below to see how the action unfolded in Nice.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Group C fixture at Euro 2016 between Poland and Northern Ireland.
After Wales' victory over Slovakia and England's draw with Russia, it's the turn of Northern Ireland as they look to maintain the home nations unbeaten start to the tournament. They won't have it easy though - Poland boast one of the competition's best strikers in Robert Lewandowski and a squad that ran Germany close in qualification.
Northern Ireland have previously made appearances in the World Cup but this is the first time that they had qualified for a European Championship. It has taken 14 attempts but they finally have the opportunity to test themselves against the continent's elite and when you take into account that it has also been 30 years since they last played in the World Cup, there is every expectancy that they will be motivated to cause a surprise in Nice.
Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the two starting lineups.
POLAND XI: Szczesny, Piszczek, Pazdán, Glik, Jedrzejczyk, Blaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Maczynski, Kapustka, Lewandowski, Milik
NORTHERN IRELAND XI: McGovern, McLaughlin, Cathcart, Evans, McAuley, Ferguson, Baird, Norwood, McNair, Davis, Lafferty
There are few shocks in the Poland starting lineup with all their major names playing a part. Wojciech Szczesny starts in goal with Jakub Blaszczykowski, Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik featuring further forward. Northern Ireland will have to nullify the threat of all three players if they are to win this afternoon.
The big concern in the Northern Ireland ranks was the fitness of Kyle Lafferty, who sustained a groin injury earlier this week, but the forward has made the cut to start in attack. Michael McGovern gets the nod in goal over Roy Carroll, but there is no place in the side for either Conor Washington or Will Grigg, who will have to make do with a possible appearance off the bench.
RESULT! The game in Nice is the second match to take place today with Croatia having already registered a narrow win over Turkey in Paris. You can read all about it in our match report here.
Northern Ireland will have at least one famous face watching today.
Come on @NorthernIreland!!!! #GAWA #DareToDream — Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 12, 2016
With just half an hour to go until kickoff, there's still time for you to check out our dedicated Euro 2016 section. Unsurprisingly, yesterday's trouble in Marseille dominates the headlines.
It's most certainly a beautiful early evening in Nice. Let's hope the football follows suit!
The green and white hordes at L'Allianz Riviera pic.twitter.com/UJd7ErIjxR — Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) June 12, 2016
HEAD TO HEAD! Today's fixture represents the 10th time that the two teams have met on the international stage, with Northern Ireland winning four times and Poland emerging victorious on three occasions. The most recent clash came in Poland in 2009 when they played out a 1-1 draw during qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
STAT! We don't want to tempt fate but Northern Ireland would make it 13 games unbeaten if they can avoid defeat today. Rory McIlroy and their legion of fans will be hoping it's not unlucky 13 but as we have already mentioned, they are the underdogs in this game, despite not losing to the likes of Romania, Wales and Slovakia during a streak which began at the end of March last year.
Poland head into this game having lost to the Netherlands and being held by Lithuania but we shouldn't look too much into those results. Before those results, they had lost just twice in 22 outings and holds wins over the likes of Germany, Serbia and the Republic of Ireland. This isn't the Polish team that has previously failed to win a European Championship fixture - this is a group of players who are considered dark horses to have a run to the latter stages of this tournament.
PREDICTION! As much as we want Northern Ireland to kick off their campaign with a positive result, we think that Poland will be too strong over the course of the 90 minutes. The key battle is between Lewandowski and Jonny Evans and the Polish striker should come out on top. Poland to win 2-0.
Before we get started, a quick reminder that we will have full coverage of the Germany versus Ukraine match after the conclusion of this game. Germany should prevail but they have a few issues in their defence so Ukraine could make it interesting.
A huge roar greets the two sets of players as they make their way out onto the pitch at the Allianz Riviera. These are two sets of supporters who really appreciate their appearance at this tournament.
We are underway in Nice.
It's taken all of 30 seconds for McAuley to gift a free kick to Poland with a crude challenge around 40 yards from goal. Northern Ireland escape though with Milik's free kick hitting the first man.
Poland are already throwing men forward in numbers and Northern Ireland are forced to concede a corner to deal with a threatening cross into the box. It comes to nothing but the danger signs are there.
It's panic stations in the Northern Ireland penalty area. They must have made at least half-a-dozen blocks already. Can they weather the storm?
Poland continue to make all of the running but they are yet to create a clear-cut chance. Jedrzejczyk just set up Milik but the attacker was crowded out and his shot from 10 yards went well wide. Northern Ireland have barely had a kick so far.
Lafferty's troublesome groin is certainly been tested. He's having to chase down a lot of long balls that are easily been dealt with by the Poland backline. He needs more support but he's unlikely to get it with the formation that O'Neill is playing.
Northern Ireland just won a throw-in near the corner flag. That's as good as it has got. Early days yet, though.
Each of Northern Ireland's wide men are being kept busy by the frequent raids down the flanks by Poland and Blaszczykowski is the latest player to earn a corner for his side. Again though, the set piece comes to nothing. They won't be this poor all match.
Moments later, Baird heads behind to give Poland another chance from a corner. Can they make anything of this one? Nope, headed clear.
Earlier in the match, Evans caught a stray arm from Lewandowski and it appears that the West Brom defender has just repaid the favour. That's worth keeping an eye on. We have reach the midway point of the first half without any chance of note.
Northern Ireland finally whip the ball into the box towards Lafferty but Szczesny is equal to it. He takes a knock for his troubles but he is soon back to his feet.
SHOT! Poland dispossess Northern Ireland on the halfway line and soon burst forward. The ball ends up at the feet of Milik who is soon looking to get his shot away and although he hits the target, it's too close to McGovern who claims the ball at the second attempt.
CHANCE! How has Milik missed that! Piszczek does superbly down the right before cutting the ball back to the Ajax striker but after getting the better of McLaughlin, he fired over the crossbar from eight yards. He should have hit the target, which would have probably been enough to beat McGovern.
Gaps are starting to appear in both team's defences now. Poland are very much the better side but Northern Ireland are having more joy. Work needs to be done on their final ball though. They are having to be precise with Lafferty largely isolated.
SHOT! A sharp turn from Kapustka creates some space for himself to get a shot away but he hooks his 20-yard effort wide. Poland have had nine shots in this game - Northern Ireland are still waiting for their first.
SAVE! What a save from McGovern! Poland are starting to throw men forward once again and after confusion in the Northern Ireland penalty area ended with Kapustka receiving the ball on the edge of the box, his well-struck volley was tipped over the crossbar by the goalkeeper.
Northern Ireland get the chance to float the ball into the penalty area but it's easily dealt with by Poland. At some stage in this match, O'Neill's men are going to have to pose more threat in attack. They are going to end this half without having a shot.
HALF TIME: Poland 0-0 Northern Ireland
The half-time whistle goes in Nice and Northern Ireland have managed to get to the break on level terms. They've offered nothing in attack but so far, they are keeping Poland at bay. Expect Lewandowski and co to come out firing in the second half.
We are back underway. Northern Ireland have brought on Stuart Dallas for Paddy McNair. Interesting chance from O'Neill.
Northern Ireland have started this half much better but Poland are still bossing possession. The positive for Northern Ireland is that they are making an attempt to get players in closer proximity to Lafferty.
GOAL! Poland 1-0 Northern Ireland (Milik)
It had been coming, hadn't it? Poland take the lead in Nice thanks to a neat finish from Milik. Błaszczykowski had been released down the right flank before pulling the ball back for Milik, who found the bottom corner after firing the ball between the legs of Cathcart.
Northern Ireland ultimately need to show more ambition in the final third but they cannot afford to concede a second. Poland are on a high and are showing every intent to add to their lead.
Northern Ireland win a free kick on the left flank after a foul on Norwood. It looks a bit generous but they won't care. Can they make something of it? No they can't. It's a terrible set piece and Poland clear.
Northern Ireland are on the rack here and only a last-ditch challenge from McLaughlin denies Kapustka the chance to slide the ball past McGovern. Changes may be imminent from Michael O'Neill.
"Ole!" is being shouted by Poland supporters with every successful pass. It's that sort of game now, even though the score is only 1-0. Conor Washington is coming on for Northern Ireland.
BOOKING! Bartosz Kapustka is the first man into the book after Poland give the ball away in midfield, with Baird being brought down as he looked to play the ball through to Lafferty. Ferguson is the man to make way for Washington.
Northern Ireland win a corner after a McAuley is deflected wide but despite a decent ball into the area, Szczesny punches the ball clear under no attention from a man in a green shirt.
SHOT! Milik wins the ball around 40 yards from goal before finding the advancing Błaszczykowski, who drills the ball and inch or two wide of the far post. Cathcart has just been booked for a foul on Lewandowski.
Washington has added the pace that Northern Ireland have been looking for but despite a lung-busting surge down the right flank, Szczesny judges his slide to perfection and denies the attacker the chance to get a shot in on goal.
SHOT! Lafferty just attempted the greatest goal in the history of football and to his credit, it's a fine effort. He juggled with the ball on the edge of the penalty area before attempting an over-head kick from 20 yards but his attempt sailed a few yards off target.
SUBSTITUTION! Jamie Ward has been introduced by O'Neill. That's all three changes made and he has certainly introduced a greater variety of attacking players but can they make a difference?
Less than 10 minutes to go now. We are still waiting for Northern Ireland to launch an assault on the Poland goal. With Germany and Ukraine still to come, surely they have to take a chance.
For a moment, Lafferty looked as though he had turned the defender on the edge of the penalty area before seeing his marker do well to get back in front of the target man. Bit more promising, though. Northern Ireland need more of that.
CHANCE! Was that the chance? An extremely well-worked free kick from deep finds Davis around 12 yards from goal but he just misses out on making contact with the ball.
SHOT! Krychowiak has been excellent for Poland and he almost caps a fine individual display with a 25-yard effort, with the ball just missing the corner with McGovern beaten. Former Wolves man Peszko is on for Poland.
There will be three minutes of added-on time.
An injury to Szczesny will see a bit more time added on but Poland have the ball in the corner. That could be that.
FULL TIME: Poland 1-0 Northern Ireland
The full-time whistle has gone in Nice and Poland have comfortably held on to secure a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland, who will be disappointed with their performance at the Allianz Riviera. Michael O'Neill's team have four days to regroup before they face Ukraine on Thursday.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this game but we hope that you can stick around for the match involving Germany and Ukraine which is coming up shortly. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
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