Wales march into last eight as Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 journey ends

The fairytale lives on for Wales fans after a Battle of Britain victory over Northern Ireland.

It is 58 years since their last major tournament but the men from the Valleys are not leaving the Euros 2016 yet.

What sounded like a brass band struck up in the red corner of the Parc des Princes in Paris followed by the refrain: "Don't take me home ... I just don't want to go to work."

Northern Ireland's Green and White Army (GAWA) has enchanted France with its humour and sense of fun. But its bouncy ranks were diminished compared to the neighbours from across the Irish Sea and they could not roar their favourites on to victory.

An own goal put Wales through to the quarter finals.

And in the sing-off after the final whistle was blown the Welsh fans had the numbers and spirits to prevail and sang the national anthem with gusto.

Northern Ireland had the most energetic fans at Euro 2016 and they were on their feet for most of the game.

They taunted Welsh supporters that they voted Remain in the EU referendum.

But the Ulster men will be departing football's European stage with heads held high.

Earlier on Saturday large crowds had gathered beside the Eiffel Tower in central Paris ahead of a richly anticipated home nations face-off.

Performing at this stage of a major tournament is a rare privilege for both sides and they savoured every moment of the big match build-up.

Red and green shirts lined up together to sing the anthem-like "Will Grigg's on fire" - about a striker who had not been seen on the pitch in the tournament.

Even former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona belted out his own version in a video for Eurosport.com.

The Welsh had serenaded their counterparts with Stand Up For The Ulster Men.

And Northern Ireland supporters applauded their opposite numbers in a celebratory atmosphere which continued long after the final whistle and into the Parisian night.