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Roundup: Debutant win, first draw highlight Group C matches

Xinhua, June 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

First scoreless draw at EURO 2016 encountered by Germany and Poland as well as debutant Northern Ireland's 2-0 win over Ukraine highlighted Thursday's Group C matches.

Old rivals Germany and Poland failed to prematurely clinch a place in the knock-out rounds although the world champions were dominant in terms of 63 percent of possession in Paris.

However, they didn't hit the target with any of their attempts. For instance, a good chance for Arkadiusz Milik to score went begging in the 69th minute. The German forward miscued 15 yards out after he and captain Robert Lewandowski had led a flowing move to send Kamil Grosicki down the left.

The stalemate left Germany on top of Group C up to now.

Poland will face Ukraine and may seal their place in the knock-out stages even with a draw, while Germany will take on Northern Ireland with a point behind.

For the match in Lyon, Northern Ireland secured its first victory in a major tournament in 34 years after they beat Ukraine 2-0.

"We produced a great reaction after the Poland game and now we have something to show for it," said Northern Ireland's Gareth McAuley.

In the 49th minute, central midfielder Oliver Norwood floated a free-kick into the area and McAuley ran clear of Ukraine's defender Khacheridi, rising high and heading in.

Substitute McGinn pounced on a rebound to seal all three points for Northern Ireland in the 96th minute.

The victory means the side has a chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages.

For Ukraine, sitting last in Group C with no points, might just depend on others' performances to make the cut.

In another match on Thursday, second half substitute Daniel Sturridge scored a last-gasp winner to give England a 2-1 win over Wales in their Group B match in Lens.

The Liverpool striker, who replaced former Liverpool teammate Raheem Sterling in the second half, played a one-two with Dele Alli and squeezed the ball inside Welsh keeper Wayne Hennessey's right-hand post one minute into the injury time.

It was England's first victory in the tournament after they had been held 1-1 in their first match against Russia.

England cannot finish lower than third in group position, likely earning a spot in the last 16. Endit