Martin O’Neill’s Northern Ireland side were outplayed for most of the match in their group C encounter with Poland , a game which was decided by a lone goal from Arkadiusz Milik.
The 51st minute stroke from Milik secured a first ever win at the European Championships for the 2012 co hosts , and ended the 12 game unbeaten run for Northern Ireland who are playing their first major tournament in 30 years.
Poland’s star striker Robert Lewandowski was merely a spectator in the first half as his team started at a ferocious pace, creating many chances with Artur Jedrzejczyk and Lukasz Piszczek overlapping at every opportunity, they peppered the Northern Irish area with many crosses, yet the poles failed to score.
Milik wasted what was easily the best opportunity of the first half , firing over the bar from 8 yards out.
Northern Ireland had no attempts on goal in the opening 45 minutes which summed up the entire game for them, they simply need to start attacking more if they are to qualify for the next round.
It was Milik who broke the deadlock in the 51st minute firing home a left footed strike after a neat first touch off a Blaszczykowski pass.
Northern Ireland substitute Washington nearly equalized for only to be denied by keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Stephen Davis had a chance to equalize but he couldn’t take his shot and that piece of play summed up Northern Ireland’s attack on the night, next up for them is a game against Ukraine while Poland face the World Champions Germany.
