[img]http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRb-dmHreXTDsidGrm7NLzg3fFg89MKuJSjNC85FSIRDVid3cQzpzSKKwM[/img] [size=16pt]Northern Ireland vs Germany[/size] [img]http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSDJxu60GAiCNluAQba_t3o_MKzECuB7KZwDqlcCkKh_SQxNzx-by0p3mU[/img]

European Championship debutants Northern Ireland take on World Champions Tuesday evening as Group C draws to a close.

Following their 2-0 victory over Ukraine, Northern Ireland are guaranteed a top 3 finish in their group. West Brom’s Gareth McAuley opened scoring in the 49th minute and Niall McGinn sealed the 3 points for Michael O’Neill’s team with a goal deep into stoppage time.

With only the best four third-place sides qualifying for the Round of 16, the job is not yet complete for Northern Ireland, who head into the match on 3 points, 1 behind both Poland and Germany.

Speaking after the game, O’Neill was full of praise for his side. “We’ve given ourselves a really good chance of qualification. When we came into the tournament, we knew we were in as tough a group as there is, and we wanted something to play for in the last game. We have a realistic prize at the end of the Germany game and that’s immensely pleasing. I’m just delighted for the players. It’s the proudest I’ve felt in a dugout. When you get a performance like that – which is pure commitment, pure heart – there’s nothing more you can ask for.”

Striker Josh Magennis said he is hoping his side’s performance against Germany can “stamp the players into Northern Ireland folk history”.

Germany come into the match on the back of a goalless draw with Poland.

Speaking after the match, German coach Joachim Low said: “I was quite pleased with our defence but our attack did not really create many chances. But neither did they. I did not start Gomez because the Polish central defence is strong in the air, so I wanted low passing with Gotze. Group stage matches are attrition battles. I expect more openings in the knock-out stages.”

Mario Gotze was once again used in the false-nine position, with Mesut Ozil playing in behind him. Andre Schurrle and Mario Gomez are other options should Low decide to change things up.

A draw will be enough to secure a top two finish for Low’s side. If Germany win and Poland beat Ukraine, the two nations will be tied on 7 points with their positions coming down to goal difference.

Permutations

All Germany need is a draw on Tuesday to qualify, and could even top the group with a point if Poland fail to beat Ukraine.

Joachim Low's side are not out of the woods yet - they will finish second if they draw and Poland win, and could even slip to third if they lose to Northern Ireland.

Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland side are guaranteed at least a third-placed finish in Group B, but must beat Germany to climb higher than that.

A shock win against Low's world champions would earn them top spot if Poland also fail to beat rock-bottom Ukraine, who are already going home.

Opta stats

These two nations have met 14 times previously, with Germany winning eight to Northern Ireland's two (D4).

Germany have won the last four meetings between the sides, scoring 14 goals and conceding just two in that run; prior to that run Germany were winless in five against Northern Ireland (D3, L2).

Germany beat Northern Ireland 4-1 in Belfast in their last encounter, a friendly back in June 2005. David Healy was the lone scorer for the Green and Whites, whilst the last German to get on the scoresheet was Lukas Podolski.

Northern Ireland's last victory against Germany dates back to 16 November 1983. They won 1-0 in Hamburg thanks to a goal by Norman Whiteside.

Although this is Northern Ireland's first European Championship, the two sides have met four times previously in qualifying for the tournament, winning twice each.

Northern Ireland's two wins over West Germany in qualifying for the 1984 Euros remains the only occasion that a team has beaten Die Mannschaft home and away in a qualifying campaign.

Northern Ireland have only lost one of their last 14 internationals (0-1 v Poland in their EURO 2016 opener), winning seven and drawing six along the way.

Northern Ireland have never conceded more than one goal in their last 15 internationals. The last time their nets were rattled more than once was in November 2014 against Romania (0-2).

Seven of Northern Ireland's last 10 goals in competitive games have come from set-pieces (4 from corners, 3 from indirect free-kicks).

Possible XI