Robbie Brady: We can take on anyone

ByReuters

Updated 22/06/2016 at 21:52 GMT

Robbie Brady says his Ireland side can be a match for anyone after their 1-0 victory over Ireland.

Ireland's midfielder Robert Brady celebrates scoring a goal during the Euro 2016 group E football match between Italy and Ireland at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, near Lille, on June 22, 2016.

Image credit: AFP

Robbie Brady scored a glorious late winner for Ireland to put them through to the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time with a 1-0 win over Group E winners Italy.

Brady scored his 85th minute headed goal from a pinpoint cross by his Norwich City clubmate Wes Hoolahan, who had just spurned a golden opportunity to seal the well-deserved victory himself.

[BRADY THE HERO AS IRELAND MAKE LAST 16]

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It delivered Irish football one of its most famous nights against a second-string Italy side, with the three points securing third place in the group and setting up a last-16 tie against hosts France in Lyon on Sunday.

"It's what dreams are made of. I grew up dreaming about this stage and to go and do it in front of my family is the best feeling in the world," said Brady, who reckoned that scoring the goal felt like "an out of body" experience.

"All applause is for Wes Hoolahan. He put the ball right on my head. I would have done well to miss it. We rode our luck a couple of times, but we got the result in the end.

Ireland's midfielder Robert Brady (R) celebrates with Ireland's midfielder James McClean after scoring during the Euro 2016 group E football match between Italy and Ireland at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, near Lille, on June 22, 2016.

Image credit: AFP

"If we stick together like we did tonight, we can take on anyone."

When the referee sounded the final whistle, there were wild celebrations from players, coaching staff and fans alike with Ireland's Euro dream still very much alive.

"We stuck at it and put in a great performance," Brady said. "In the end we got the result we deserved. Roll on France!"

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