Wales' Sam Vokes says Euro 2016 success requires mental toughness

Image: Sam Vokes says Wales must remain mentally strong

Sam Vokes admits Wales must remain mentally strong after reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

Wales edged past Northern Ireland on Saturday to reach the last eight after winning a tense clash in Paris 1-0.

Northern Ireland held their own for most of the match only to be undone by a Gareth McAuley own goal during the closing 15 minutes of the game.

They now face either Hungary or Belgium next Friday and Vokes said: "They're all big games and the next one is the quarters. You never know what could happen if you get a result there.

Image: Vokes battles with Jonny Evans during their Euro 2016 match in Paris on Saturday

"Every game is different and it's tough to go into every game with the same mentality.

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"But you've got to keep grinding out results, whether we're playing 100 per cent as we were against Russia or against Northern Ireland when we were off it a bit."

Wales manager Chris Coleman admits they were lucky in their 1-0 win against Northern Ireland at Euro 2016

As for the win over Northern Ireland, the Burnley striker added: "With it being a British derby, it was always going to be difficult to break them down and I thought they were brilliant in the way they went about it.

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"But Gareth's ball across the box was the difference and to nick it at the end was a great feeling.

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"They are special moments and that's what this journey's been all about. We build on that and hopefully get another one next week."

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