https://footballfutbolcalciosoccer.blogspot.com/2016/06/euro-2016-best-xi-group-stage-round-of.html The matchup I (and I'm sure a fair few others) never saw coming. I didn't have either of these teams advancing on my bracket. That being said, both have been pleasant surprises for different reasons. Wales have played the more enterprising football and have looked a strong unit. The Northern Irish have defended as if their lives depended on it and have not played attractive football, nor should be expected too - if its ugly but it works that is fine. Wales - https://footballfutbolcalciosoccer.blogspot.com/2016/06/euro-2016-preview-group-b-england.html Northern Ireland - https://footballfutbolcalciosoccer.blogspot.com/2016/06/euro-2016-preview-group-c-germany.html
This game was an example why the round of 16 pairing system is flawed. Wales was not good enough in group stage to deserve such an easy first round opponent. If you have a tiered ranking from 1 to 16 you would have had France vs. Northern Ireland and at least that maybe means some goals and a better team advancing to quarterfinals. Wales would have had to face a more serious team in Switzerland. Not saying that Wales can't beat Switzerland, but at least that's a more respectable test and worthy of a place in quarterfinals if you win.
If England were able to hold on to their lead against Russia for a few more minutes no one would be complaining. Wales found a way to win the Group and this is what we got.
Mehmet Scholl (some might remember him) had a meltdown during half time saying: "How is it possible these two teams could manage to qualify? And: Can there be worse teams then these?" And after the game instead of providing an analysis he just said: "We have survived it!"
The blame lies with the favourites in this tournament. Wales, Croatia, Italy and Hungary won their groups when according to the seeding England, Spain, Belgium and Portugal were supposed to. If you have one or maybe two 'surprise' winners then it won't be this lopsided, but four out of six seeds failing to win their groups will do this. England-Ukraine (which would have been most people's picks for winner and a best 3rd place) probably wouldn't have been a great attacking game either - most teams in Europe play defense first and then worry about attacking which leads to games with less attacking impetus.