Wednesday 22 June 2016 11:51, UK
Martin Tyler is commentating for UEFA's world feed at Euro 2016, but Sky Sports' Voice of Football is sharing his thoughts on the tournament here. In his latest column he reflects after watching an outstanding goalkeeping display in Northern Ireland's 1-0 defeat to Germany…
As I announced the final score of 1-0 to Germany in Paris on Tuesday evening, nobody knew that would eventually be enough to take Northern Ireland through.
But what I did know is that game could have been 5-0 and then they would almost certainly be out.
The man who should get the credit for that is goalkeeper Michael McGovern, who produced an absolutely fantastic display.
Northern Ireland work very hard and are great when the opposition have the ball, but sometimes it comes down to the goalkeeper. He was truly outstanding and the late save from Mario Gomez's downward header was the pick of the bunch.
McGovern may not look the part as a goalkeeper, especially when you compare him to Manuel Neuer at the other end, but you don't need that presence when you have the agility he has.
He kept his side in with a chance of taking something from the game, but more importantly was keeping the goal difference to level par, as Rory McIlroy might say, to put them in a position to qualify for the last 16.
I commentated on Robert Almer's display for Austria when he kept Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo out, but I think McGovern's was the best goalkeeping performance I've seen. Appearing in his first major tournament against the world champions - it was outstanding.
The 24-team format might be unwieldy, but if it allows McGovern to play on a stage like this then it's fantastic.
I commentated on Robert Almer's display for Austria... but I think McGovern's was the best goalkeeping performance I've seen.
I have also been very impressed with Michael O'Neill, who spoke with so much intelligence during Monday's press conference.
We go to press conferences out of a sense of duty, as the players and managers do, and both parties are usually keen to get things over with quickly, but this press conference was a real treat.
That was mainly because of Germany's Mats Hummels, who was so entertaining, witty and charming. I wish he had signed for a Premier League club so that we could make him a bigger star than he already is.
Joachim Low didn't attend, sending his assistant in his place, which is understandable because I wouldn't want to be shown up by one of my players either!
Following that, O'Neill made every questioner feel welcome but did not betray any of his tactics or future plans. I think he will go into club football soon and if I was a director at a high-level English club he would be on my shortlist if I was looking for a manager.
Hopefully he has guided a third UK team through to the last 16, which is not too shabby.
If I've seen the outstanding goalkeeping display at Euro 2016, then Wales have had the outstanding attacker of the tournament so far in Gareth Bale and I look forward to commentating on him and Wales in Paris on Saturday.
Wales have won two and had an avoidable defeat to England, plus scored six goals in a tournament where goalscoring has been difficult. They deserve immense credit.
England did not top their group, but I don't think Roy Hodgson and the team care who they play - just as Germany didn't seem to care on Tuesday.
This is a very even tournament and while I don't think England are better than the top teams, I don't think they are inferior either. They have done OK and can do better - which is exactly what Germany and France will be thinking!
I am commentating on Iceland v Austria on Wednesday, which may determine who England play in the last 16 and I'll be filing in my chart to work out all the complicated permutations.
But forget the mathematics for a few moments. As I type these words half an hour after the end of the game, the goalposts have been taken down but the Northern Ireland fans are STILL singing in the stadium, much to the enchantment of the neutral supporters.
I can't get 'Will Grigg's On Fire' out of my head and keep humming the 'na na na na' bit which is entirely inappropriate for someone of my seniority.
Can you imagine the reaction if he actually gets on the field at some point?
