Welsh Starman Gareth Bale had unsurprisingly been highlighted as the dangerman before the last-16 tie at the Parc des Princes but was largely stifled in a tense all-British affair.
However, the Real Madrid man showed his quality with a teasing left-wing cross that the unfortunate McAuley diverted into his own net when sliding to make a clearance with 15 minutes remaining.
In truth the expected blood-and-thunder derby-type contest never materialised, but Wales will feel they did enough to justify their place in the last eight with Sam Vokes missing a great second-half opportunity and Bale testing Michael McGovern – so impressive in the 1-0 loss to Germany – with a free-kick.
Wales, who topped Group B ahead of England, can now continue what has been a superb tournament in France and will face either Belgium or Hungary in the quarters.