7 Truths: Germany’s weakness, Northern Ireland's huge success

There are still question marks over Mario Gomez. Sure he scored, but it was a relatively straightforward chance. He also wasted one glorious opening in the first half – and obviously blamed the turf for having the temerity to have a minor bobble in it – before he missed two headers in the second (albeit with Michael McGovern making a great save for the second). For all the finesse and skill that Germany showed in midfield, they are perhaps yet to solve their striker conundrum.

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Only some poor finishing and a world-class goalkeeping performance from Michael McGovern prevented Northern Ireland from suffering a heavy beating against Germany that would have buried alive their hopes of qualifying for the last 16. As it was, keeping the damage down to the loss of only a solitary goal must have felt like a victory when Northern Ireland returned to their changing room at the Parc des Princes realising that it would have taken an outlandish set of circumstances to deny them.

With Turkey completing a 2-0 win over Czech Republic, it was a memorable day for a country appearing at their first major finals since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. "It's surreal," said O'Neill. "I'm not sure it's really sunk in yet but it's a fantastic achievement. We knew the group would be difficult. What we saw tonight was a team that refused to be beaten by a big margin and did everything possible to stay in the game. Over the three games we deserve to be in the last 16. What we went through tonight will prepare us for anything in the next round and our players will be ready for whoever."

Northern Ireland could face a problem retaining O'Neill after this tournament.

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The Northern Ireland fans took up only around a quarter of Parc des Princes, yet almost all of the noise came from them. Like their team, they gave their all for 90 minutes (and the three minutes of stoppage time, and beyond). They mixed up their songs and barely stopped singing and dancing. It was in total contrast to the German fans who only really had a brief flurry of activity after Mario Gomez scored. “You only sing when you’re winning”, came the verdict from those in green at the other end. They had a point too.

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Poland's impressive record in qualifying for this tournament has continued in France. Having taken three points out of six against Germany on their way to reaching these finals, Adam Nawalka’s side have again proven their worth in a section involving the world champions by matching their points total to reach the last 16. Jakub Blaszczykowski's goal in a 1-0 win over Ukraine was an item of beauty as a rejuvenated Poland proved they can win ugly when not at their best. With a match against Switzerland in the last 16 on Saturday, opportunity knocks with an eminently winnable contest presenting the prospect of a run to the quarter-finals. If Robert Lewandowski fires, Poland will fancy themselves.

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Sergio Ramos’ penalty miss could have wide ramifications for the rest of this tournament. Had he hit the back of the net from 12 yards, then Spain would have almost certainly progressed as Group D winners. However, having finished runners up to Croatia, they now enter same side of the draw as Germany, Italy, France and England. Those are some serious big hitters right there.

This means that one of the pre-tournament dark horses - looking at you Poland, Switzerland, Croatia, Wales and Belgium – could go all the way to the final from the other side of the draw.

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Spain may have finished second; they might be in the tougher side of the draw but they still have enough quality to complete a remarkable three-peat.

They were up against an inspired Croatia in Bordeaux but still managed to dominate for large swathes of the match. They put together some magnificent football for much of the match and were it not for Sergio Ramos’ penalty miss, they would more than likely have had a record of three wins from three.

Better to get the loss out of the way in the group stages.

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Croatia are more than just a superlative midfield that consists of Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric - only Rakitic played against Spain. They fell behind to a dominant Spain side early on Tuesday but reacted magnificently, playing with intensity and intelligence and were richly rewarded with a win that sees them top of Group D.

Nikola Kalinic, who replaced Mario Mandzukic, embodied their boldness and scored one and set the other as they came from behind to inflict Spain’s first defeat in 15 matches. They are sound defensively, exceptional in midfield and have a goal threat.