Euro 2016: Gutsy, spirited and plenty of heart, but Northern Ireland’s lack of stardust ruthlessly exposed by Poland

Richard Jolly breaks down how a talent-rich Poland side exposed that the chief concern for Northern Ireland at Euro 2016 'is that their opponents are blessed with much more ability'.

Poland players celebrate after Arkadiusz Milik scored their goal in a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland on Sunday at Euro 2016. Sebastien Nogier / EPA / June 12, 2016

Poland 1, Northern Ireland 0

POL: Milik 51’

Sometimes logic makes an unwelcome reappearance. Sometimes quality wins out. Sometimes heart, spirit and structure are not quite enough. They were not for Northern Ireland.

Thirty years to the day since their last match in a major championship, they came back with an admirable effort that yielded no return. Michael O’Neill’s team had constructed Europe’s longest unbeaten run, but they did not face opponents of Poland’s calibre in that 12-game sequence. This was an unfortunate 13th.

Northern Ireland were not unlucky – no team with only 32 per cent of possession and no shots on target can complain too much when they are defeated – but instead illustrated that their achievement came in reaching France.

Arkadiusz Milik’s goal suggested their stay will be a brief one. Until he struck, disbelief was temporarily suspended. Northern Ireland had preserved parity for 50 minutes. Theirs was a damage-limitation exercise, carefully planned.

O’Neill had stated his charges had nothing to fear. Instead, the tone was of caution. A back five were shielded by four central midfielders, two of whom are able to play centre-back. They had men camped behind the ball. They defended deep, in numbers and with great resolve.

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Perhaps Northern Ireland could hold out. Michael McGovern conceded 19 goals in a five-match spell six months ago, four of them to Scottish League Two side Annan Athletic. Perhaps he could keep a clean sheet. He had saved acrobatically from Bartosz Kapustka.

The battalion of centre-halves kept Robert Lewandowski quiet. The scorer of 48 goals this season never threatened a 49th.

But the problem with facing Poland nowadays is that their menace is not just confined to Lewandowski. They are garnished with gifted players. They scored 33 times in qualifying. They only needed one in Nice. Milik had spurned the finest first-half chance, skewing a shot over as he leant back. He was more clinical after the interval, drilling an effort beyond McGovern. After seven goals and six assists in qualifying, statistics that would have garnered more attention but for Lewandowski’s scoring spree, the Ajax attacker maintained his prolific form.

He was aided by his supplier. Jakub Blaszczykowski was terrific, consistently creative on the right flank. He won his duel with Shane Ferguson.

How Northern Ireland missed Chris Brunt, cruelly ruled out of the tournament by a knee injury. He had been a huge influence in propelling them this far.

Another received unusual recognition. Kyle Lafferty had Belfast City Airport – normally known as George Best Airport – renamed for a day in his honour. He had accolades from his compatriots, but less service from his colleagues. Such penalty-box incident as involved Lafferty came in his own area, with Poland appealing optimistically for a spot kick when the ball glanced his hand.

The striker had one of Northern Ireland’s two attempts, an audacious overhead kick that revealed more desperation than inspiration. While O’Neill made a trio of attacking changes and while his team belatedly committed players forward, they rendered it a more open game, which in turn allowed Poland to show the difference in class.

The precocious teenager Kapustka suggested Cracovia should brace themselves for offers for an emerging talent. The assured Grzegorz Krychowiak ran the midfield. Milik was elusive and excellent. Even with Lewandowski expertly policed by Gareth McAuley, Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart, they rendered it a landmark occasion for their country.

It seemed extraordinary that Poland, the country of Zbigniew Boniek, Grzegorz Lato and Kazimierz Deyna, had never won a European Championship game before. An explanation of sorts lies in the fact they never qualified during their heyday in the 1970s and 1980s, when they were twice World Cup semi-finalists.

The current collective may be their best generation since then.

Their local derbies against Germany and Ukraine promise to be compelling clashes. For Northern Ireland, two more rearguard actions beckon. The guarantee is they will approach them with determination and organisation.

The concern is that their opponents are blessed with much more ability.

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