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Well that is all we have time for on this particular live blog. You don't have to wait long for the next instalment of Euro 2016 action, with the final game of the day seeing Germany take on Ukraine in Lille. I look forward to joining us then, but until next time goodbye.

Full time: Poland 1-0 Northern Ireland

It's seventh time lucky for Poland, who win their first European Championship match against a plucky Northern Ireland who huffed and puffed but really rarely threatened over the 90 minutes. Robert Lewandowski's accomplice Arkadiusz Milik grabbed the crucial goal early in the second half and that was enough for the Poles. Michael O'Neill's side now fighting for their lives in the competition.

Free-kick to Poland deep in the Northern Ireland half. Time running out...

Three added minutes in Nice. Northern Ireland still pushing for the goal which would surely given them a point.

Was that the chance for Northern Ireland. They work a deep free-kick along the floor to Davis, but he can't reach the outstretched ball and the opportunity is gone. Less than four minutes of normal time remaining.

A video has emerged of the trouble in Lille ahead of tonight's game.

Jamie Ward on for Northern Ireland in one final throw of the dice. Can Michael O'Neill's men do a Russia, and grab a late leveller?

Kyle Lafferty may not have seen much of the ball but his killer instinct is still there, as he controls the ball and unleashes an overhead kick which balloons wide.

Jonny Evans has been all over Robert Lewandowski in this game, and frankly the Bayern Munich forward has been a peripheral figure so far. The West Brom man has a little kick out at Lewandowksi after defends well in the corner.


Conor Washington on for Northern Ireland and he almost makes an immediate impression, nodding the ball beyond Jędrzejczyk and scampering clear but he knocks the ball on too far and Szczesny comes out to collect the ball.

Northern Ireland win their first corner in the 67 minute. Big moment for Michael O'Neill's team this but Szczesny punches clear without alarm. It followed a Gareth McAuley header which was deflected behind.

Do Northern Ireland have a plan B in their artillery? Their approach from the outset has seemingly been on holding on to what they have and frustrating Poland, but clearly that must change if they have any ambitions of getting something from this game.

Goal: Poland 1-0 Northern Ireland (Arkadiusz Milik)

Six minutes after the break Poland get the opener their performance has deserved. Piszczek feeds Milik on the edge of the box, and the Ajax forward takes on touch and fires it through the legs of Jonny Evans and through Michael McGovern.

Have to report more trouble, this time between German and Ukraine fans in Lille ahead of their 8pm group game.

Incase you have missed it, Uefa have issued two statements today; the first charging Russia fans for the events which overshadowed the Group B match in Marseille, and a second warning both Russia and England Football Associations they will be thrown out of the tournament if their behaviour continues. Russia face Slovakia in Lille on Wednesday, while England take on Wales in Lens on Thursday; with the governing body sure to have an eye on events before, during and after the games.

Second half underway in Nice.

Just had another look at that Luka Modric goal from Croatia's earlier win over Turkey. It really is a fine strike from the Real Madrid midfielder. Better than Dimitri Payet's on opening night? Perhaps yeah.

Half time: Poland 0-0 Northern Ireland

Probably as one-sided a half as I've seen in these European Championships, but Northern Ireland continue to hold Poland in Nice. Arkadiusz Milik could have had a hat-trick in the opening 45 minutes, with Michael McGovern making one brilliant save from Bartosz Kapustka. Michael O'Neill's side have offered nothing from an attacking perspective and they continue to drop deep. But only one statistic matters, and that sees Northern Ireland on course for their first point in their European Championship history.

Pazdan finds the side-netting from the resulting corner as Northern Ireland survive again. Their defending has been at sixes and sevens at times in this first half but their clean sheets remains intact.

Poland pilling on the pressure as we approach half time. Craig Cathcart is fortunate not to concede a penalty when he handles a cross, but his clearance goes as far as Bartosz Kapustka who unleashes a fine volley which McGovern does brilliantly to turn over the bar.

Big chance for Poland and it comes for Milik again. Piszczek crosses from the byline and Milik controls, shifts the ball away from Jonny Evans by skies his effort from point blank range. Big let off.

McGovern forced into a save after 29 minutes. It's Milik, who has overshadowed his strike-partner Lewandowski in this game, who shifts the ball onto his right foot but a good low save keeps the ball out.

Plenty of pressure from Poland but Michel McGovern remains untested in the Northern Ireland goal. The latest attack from the Poles sees successive Błaszczykowski corners come to nothing.


The game has settled down a little now after a frantic start to proceedings. Kyle Lafferty seeing much more of the ball now, as is Steve Davis who is clearly the outstanding player of this Northern Ireland team.

Has the feeling of a long afternoon for a Norther Ireland team who are ranked 25th in Fifa's world rankings, the highest position in their history. But having gone 12 games unbeaten, Michael O'Neill's team have plenty of character, and they won't role over easily.

Poland have started well here with Jędrzejczyk storming down the left and crossing for Milik, who takes a swing at the ball and it goes behind. Ominous start for the Irish.

Worth mentioning that it isn't all about Lewandowski in the Poland attack, with his strike partner Milik having scored five times in qualifying. He has the first opening inside five minutes, but miss-kicks eight yards from goal.

Underway in Nice. Another game, another needless countdown.

Huge volume of Northern Ireland fans in attendance for this game. Uefa's best efforts to restrict numbers of travelling supporters has thankfully failed.

Players on their way in Nice, which is sun-decked for the visit of Poland and Northern Ireland - whose fans are not segregated interestingly. Time for the national anthems.

After seeing Wales beat Slovakia and England perform admirably before drawing with Russia, can Northern Ireland continue British success on this opening matchday?


What of Poland then? There is little doubt that behind Germany in Group C, they are expected to be next in line to qualify for the last 16. There is a formidable spine to this team, with Arsenal's Wojciech Szczęsny in goal, Kamil Glik at centre-back, Grzegorz Krychowiak in midfield and Robert Lewandowski in attack. There is no reason why Adam Nawalka's team can't go far in France, and they will pose a real threat to Northern Ireland.

The BBC are currently documenting Northern Ireland's history in major tournaments, with their World Cup 1986 campaign currently taking centre-stage. Pat Jennings among those reminiscing about that campaign three decades ago.

Teams:

Poland: Szczesny; Piszczek, Pazdán, Glik, Jedrzejczyk, Kuba, Krychowiak, Mączyński, Kapustka, Milik e Lewandowsk,

Northern Ireland: McGovern, McLaughlin, McAuley, Cathcart, J. Evans, Ferguson, McNair, Baird, S. Davis, Norwood, Lafferty

Northern Ireland shocked Europe when after being drawn from pot five, they finish top of their qualifying group, above Romania and Hungary - who have also both qualified, as well as 2004 winners Greece. Today sees them play their first ever game at the Euros, not to mention at a major tournament since 1986. Regardless of the result, it is likely to be a momentous day for Northern Irish sport.

Full time in Paris where Croatia, via a stunning Luke Modric goal, have beaten Turkey in their Euro 2016 opener. Now, to Nice for Northern Ireland's first major tournament appearance for 30 years.

Team news from this game should be with us at the top of the hour, but Northern Ireland are set to start with Kyle Lafferty in attack despite him missing several training sessions this week due to injury. He was their top scorer in qualifying.

Before we begin our coverage of Poland vs Northern Ireland, a reminder that Turkey and Croatia are both playing their opening game in Paris. If you want to following the remaining 10 minute or so of this game, take a look at our live blog here.

After a win for Wales, a draw for England, it is now the turn of the final home nation in the form of Northern Ireland to take their bow in the competition. Michael O'Neill's men qualified top of their group and come into the tournament off the back of a 12-man unbeaten run - the longest of any team at Euro 2016. Their opponents are one of a number of dark horses in the competition; Poland. Let by Robert Lewandowski - the top scorer in qualification - they pose a real threat and will fancy themselves again the debutants. Teams news and all the build-up ahead of kick-off, on the way.

Euro 2016 Poland