Final match day in Group C
Ukraine 0–1 Poland | Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Jakub Błaszczykowski (54′)
Northern Ireland 0–1 Germany | Parc des Princes, Paris
Mario Gómez (30′)
The teams came onto the field knowing these possibilities. Germany, Poland or New Zealand could end up as group winners by the end of the final 90 minutes in Group C. The starting position on the group table for all four teams was open for a change in order.
Germany sat on top of Group C with 4 points. They were tied in points with Poland but separated by a single goal difference. Northern Ireland sat third with 3 points, and Ukraine completed the table at the bottom with no points.
Ukraine has been very charitable in this group. They’ve given to every team the maximum points and have taken none. They were yet to score a goal in the 2016 European Championship.
If Ukraine continues their generosity and hands over another set of points in their final match against Poland, then Germany would have no choice but to beat an inspired Northern Ireland team to win the group.
Ukraine had the most improbable chance of moving up on the table, but if the unthinkable happened and Ukraine demolished Poland, and Germany beat Northern Ireland, then Ukraine could move up a spot.
A Northern Ireland win over Germany will see them top the group unless Poland got a win as well.
A draw was going to be an ideal situation for all teams in Group C. Top three teams get into the knockout stage, and Ukraine is eliminated with a point.
Blaszczykowski: the first #POL player to score at two EUROs.#EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/0MWbixiRBt
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 21, 2016
By the end of the first half, Germany had shown an indication that they were going to win the group. Mario Gomez goal in the 30th minute had made it difficult to see a Northern Ireland win.
It took the second half for Poland to bury Russia for good. Russia was mathematically eliminated from the competition, but Błaszczykowski goal in the 54th minute signed their exit papers.
Those who watched the matches for an upset didn’t get what they were looking for, as the favorites did what was expected of them and got the win. Poland and Germany got the win and remained split by the goal difference. Germany wins Group C, and Poland follows as runners-up. Northern Ireland is in a great position to get into the Round of 16 as a third placed team. Ukraine officially gets eliminated.
Both Germany and Poland are yet to concede a goal, and Ukraine failed to score one.
This is how the final Group C table looks like.
| Group C | |||||||
| Team | Played | Win | Loss | Draw | GF | GA | Points |
| Germany | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Poland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Northern Ireland | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Ukraine | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
