PARIS — Gareth Bale was the creator of the only goal – an own-goal – to put Wales into the European Championship quarterfinals Saturday with a 1-0 victory against Northern Ireland.

Bale’s cross was aimed at teammate Hal Robson-Kanu but was inadvertently tipped into the net by Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley in the 75th minute.

The only goal threat by the Welsh before the slightly fortuitous breakthrough came from a free kick from Bale, the tournament’s co-leading scorer with three goals.

“We had the one moment of quality and forced them into a mistake, and that won us the game,” Bale said.

In a drab United Kingdom showdown, it was the Northern Irish looking more dangerous in front of goal in the first half of their first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup.

But Wales was more dangerous after the break and will next play Hungary or Belgium in the quarterfinals Friday in Lille, France. It will be the first time Wales will contest a quarterfinal since the 1958 World Cup, its last appearance at a major tournament.

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POLAND 1, SWITZERLAND 1 (5-4 PKs): Poland became the first team to advance to the quarterfinals by converting all its penalties in a shootout at Saint-Etienne, France.

Following a 1-1 draw, Grzegorz Krychowiak stepped up to score the winning penalty. Poland converted all five of its spot kicks. The only person to miss was Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka, who fired his kick wide of the left-hand post.

Poland will meet Portugal at 3 p.m. Thursday in Marseille, France.

PORTUGAL 1, CROATIA 0: Cristiano Ronaldo helped create a rare chance and substitute Ricardo Quaresma finished it at Lens, France, helping Portugal advance to the quarterfinals.

Portugal settled a poor game in the 117th minute with its only serious offense, when Ronaldo’s one shot all match was parried by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic across the goalmouth in the second half of extra time. Quaresma stooped to head the ball in from close range.

MLS

D.C. UNITED 2, REVOLUTION 0: Lamar Neagle had a goal and an assist to give D.C. United an early lead that stood up at Washington.

D.C. (5-6-5) leapfrogged the Revolution (4-5-7) into fifth in the Eastern Conference.


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