Wales v Northern Ireland: What you need to know

Wales will play Northern Ireland in Paris tomorrow. Credit: PA

Tomorrow afternoon Wales and Northern Ireland will square off against each other in an all British encounter, to see who will advance to the quarter final stage of Euro 2016.

Wales finished top of Group B with wins over Slovakia and Russia, whilst Northern Ireland qualified for the last 16 by finishing third in Group C, thanks to a 2-0 win over Ukraine.

What is Wales' record against Northern Ireland?

Since the partition of Ireland in 1921, Wales and Northern Ireland have played each other 60 times.

In that first fixture, held in Swansea in April that year, Wales were 2-1 victors. Their current record stands at 27 wins, 18 draws and 15 defeats.

Here are some of their most memorable meetings, before they meet for their 61st encounter tomorrow:

Wales 1 - 2 Northern Ireland, March 31st 1954

The 1953-54 British Home Championship doubled up as a qualifying group for the 1954 World Cup. Peter McParland scored twice to give Northern Ireland a 2-0 lead at Wrexham before John Charles claimed a late consolation. But it was still England who made it through to the finals in Switzerland that year.

Robbie Savage was sent off in Wales' match with Northern Ireland in 2004. Credit: Simon Bellis/EMPICS Sport

Wales 2 - 2 Northern Ireland, September 8th, 2004

An incredible 2006 World Cup qualifier in Cardiff saw three players sent off and Wales recover from a two-goal deficit to draw. Robbie Savage and Michael Hughes were dismissed after an eighth-minute clash before Jeff Whitley and David Healy scored for Northern Ireland. But Healy was red-carded for an over-exuberant goal celebration and John Hartson and Robert Earnshaw secured a share of the spoils.

Robbie Earnshaw scored in front of a crowd of just 529 fans in 2011's match with Northern Ireland. Credit: PA

Wales 2 - 0 Northern Ireland, May 27, 2011

Only 529 fans turned up - thought to be a record low attendance for both nations - at Dublin's Aviva Stadium. The occasion was the short-lived Nations Cup which also included Scotland and hosts the Republic of Ireland. Aaron Ramsey and Earnshaw were on target for Wales as the late Gary Speed enjoyed the first victory of his brief managerial reign.

Wales' last meeting with the Northern Irish was in March this year ahead of the Euros - a Simon Church penalty in the last minute cancelling out Craig Cathcart's opener at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Who could Wales face in the rest of the tournament?

  • With Wales winning Group B, their route through the rest of Euro 2016 means they avoid the likes of Germany, Spain and France until at least the final.

  • Should Chris Coleman's side navigate their way past Northern Ireland tomorrow, their opponents will be either Hungary or Belgium - the team that pipped Wales in qualifying - in Lille on 1st July.

  • After that, a semi-final match up would await against either Switzerland, Poland, Croatia or Portugal in Lyon five days later.

  • And should the incredible happen, Wales would then face nations from the other side of the draw. Germany, Spain, or even a rematch with England would await!

Elsewhere it's been announced that English referee Martin Atkinson will take charge of tomorrow's game.

The tie will be Atkinson's third game of this summer's championships after he officiated Germany's victory over Ukraine and Portugal's 3-3 draw against Hungary on Wednesday.

The match kicks off at 5pm GMT at the Parc des Princes in Paris.