Wales beat Northern Ireland with Gareth McAuley own goal

A Gareth McAuley own goal was enough to take Wales into the last eight of Euro 2016 after a scrappy 1-0 win over Northern Ireland at the Parc des Princes.

McAuley stretched out a leg to try and divert a superb low Gareth Bale cross from the left away from lurking Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu, but could only steer it past his own goalkeeper.

The goal brought a drab match low on chances and quality to life and proved enough to see Chris Coleman's men into the quarterfinals.

Northern Ireland had the first shot of the game after 10 minutes when Leeds midfielder Stuart Dallas saw his effort from just inside the area pushed away by Wayne Hennessey.

And less than 10 minutes later, Wales responded when Aaron Ramsey prodded a Vokes header into the net -- but the flag was up for offside.

Hennessey made another good save when Jamie Ward shot outside the area, but Wales began the second half brightly and went close again when Ramsey crossed for Vokes, who got the better of defender Craig Cathcart but headed wide.

Bale then saw a 25-yard free kick well saved by Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern dives to thump away superbly.

But Wales got their breakthrough with 15 minutes remaining when Bale conjured the cross and the unfortunate McAuley -- who had no option but to go for the ball -- unwittingly produced the decisive finish.

As time ticked away, Northern Ireland could muster only a couple of goalmouth scrambles -- and then the Welsh celebrations began, and they will play either Belgium or Hungary in the last eight.