Germany pounded Northern Ireland on Tuesday but could only manage a 1-0 win that still ensured the world champion topped its group at the European Championship and advanced to the round of 16.
Defied by the woodwork and standout Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern, Germany had only Mario Gomez's 30th-minute goal to show for its dominance. Germany topped Group C with seven points and will now meet a third-place team in the next round.
McGovern ensured his team, which ended the group with three points following its victory over Ukraine, can still advance as one of the best third-placed teams. Under the convoluted tiebreaker system being used at Euro 2016, goal difference could be key.
A chant of "We're not going home" at the final whistle from noisy, boisterous green-clad Irish fans who filled one end of the Parc des Princes suggested they think there will be at least one more match to see possibly at the same venue on Saturday against Wales.
The fans had McGovern to thank. McGovern stood strong to defy Thomas Mueller and Mario Goetze twice when they had one-on-one chances, and pushed away a late Gomez header. Mueller also struck the goal frame twice in the first half, as Germany fired 26 attempts on goal compared to Northern Ireland's two.
Four times in the first half alone, Mueller seemed set to strike. A post repelled a diving header, the crossbar sent back a right-foot shot, McGovern blocked one shot, and another was skewed wide of goal.
Poland advance
Without much help from star striker Robert lewandowski, Poland has made it into the knockout round of the European Championship for the first time. Poland cemented its place in the last 16 with a 1-0 win against already eliminated Group C opponent Ukraine.