Robbie Brady the hero as Ireland make last 16
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Updated 23/06/2016 at 10:28 GMT
Grand Stade Lille Metropole, Group E – Italy 0 Ireland 1 (Brady 85)
Republic of Ireland's Robbie Brady celebrates Seamus Coleman and Wes Hoolahan at the end of the match
Image credit: Reuters
Robbie Brady headed home a late winner as Republic of Ireland booked their place in the last 16 of Euro 2016 with a famous 1-0 victory over Italy in Lille.
Martin O'Neill's men needed the three points to have any chance of reaching the knockout stage and produced a tireless, vibrant performance to edge a much-changed Azzurri who had already qualified as Group E winners.
The Irish bossed the first period and went close through Jeff Hendrick and Daryl Murphy. They also had a big penalty appeals turned down when Federico Bernardeschi appeared to catch James McClean as the winger looked set to shoot.
It seemed that would be the major talking point as the game wore on with Ireland struggling to make a breakthrough. Italy improved and substitute Lorenzo Insigne saw a shot crash back off the post late in the second half before Wes Hoolahan fired a gilt-edged opportunity straight at Salvatore Sirigu on 84 minutes.
The Norwich winger's miss could easily have seen him cast as villain but he responded with a sublime cross 60 seconds later for club-mate Brady to send Ireland's fans into hysteria.
The result sees the Republic win a Euros match for the first time in 28 years and sees them qualify as one of the best third-placed sides. They will now meet hosts France in a mouth-watering last-16 clash on Sunday afternoon.
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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
TALKING POINT: Ireland set up France grudge match
The Republic have had some famous moments against Italy, most notably in the World Cup in 1994. This result will now sit alongside that. The Irish will already be being written off as they get set to meet hosts France next, but they can play with freedom knowing they have already surpassed expectation and will be keen to upset the French who they have history with, having lost a World Cup play-off in controversial circumstances back in 2009.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Robbie Brady (Republic of Ireland). Caused problems with some probing set piece deliveries and capped an all-action showing with the crucial goal.
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Republic of Ireland's Robbie Brady celebrates after scoring their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
PLAYER RATINGS
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Randolph 6; Coleman 7, Duffy 7, Keogh 7, Ward 7; Hendrick 7, McClean 7, McCarthy 7, Brady 8; Murphy 6; Long 7. Subs: McGeady 6, Hoolahan 6, Quinn n/a.
ITALY: Sirigu 7; Barzagli 7, Bonucci 7, Ogbonna 7; Bernardeschi 6, Sturaro 6, Motta 6, Florenzi 7, De Sciglio 6; Zaza 6, Immobile 6. Subs: Darmian 6, Insigne 7, El Shaarawy n/a.
KEY MOMENTS
10' - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND CHANCE! Jeff Hendrick shifts the ball on to his left foot and flashes a 25-yard drive inches past the post. Unlucky.
21' - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND CHANCE! Murphy meets Brady's left-wing corner with a firm header that Sirigu tips over the bar.
43' - ITALY CHANCE! Immobile latches onto a miscued clearance, turns and thunders a fine effort from 20 yards just wide of Randolph's right-hand post.
44' - PENALTY SHOUT! McClean goes down in the area under a challenge from Bernardeschi as he is about to pull the trigger. The referee looks long and hard but doesn't point to the spot.
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5 things: Ireland make history thanks to Brady
53' - ITALY CHANCE! Simone Zaza with a lovely volley on the turn to meet the left-wing cross, but it flashes just over the bar. A warning for Ireland of what Italy could offer in this half.
78' - OFF THE POST! Insigne almost breaks the deadlock but sees his lovely curler from range crash back off the post. Let off for Ireland.
84' - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND CHANCE! Hoolahan is clear on goal. He has time to pick his spot but rolls a tame effort straight at Sirigu who is able to block and claim the rebound.
85' - GOAL! ITALY 0-1 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. Brady makes a superb run into the box and arrives just on cue to meet Hoolahan's delicious right-wing cross with a firm header past Sirigu. Ireland are surely going through!
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Republic of Ireland's players and staff celebrate qualification
Image credit: PA Sport
KEY STATS
Republic of Ireland reached the KO phase for the first time at the EUROs. They finished third in the group in 1988 and fourth in their group, with Italy, in 2012.
Italy lost their first EURO match since the 4-0 loss against Spain in the final of EURO 2012.
Rep. Ireland won their second EURO match after winning their first ever in 1988 (against England 1-0).
Ireland defeated Italy for the second time at a major tournament after the World Cup 1994 (1-0).
Robbie Brady scored his first goal for Rep. Ireland since 13 November 2015 in the EURO 2016 play-off qualifier against Bosnia and Hercegovina.
Brady became the fifth goalscorer for Rep. Ireland at the EUROs, after Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton, Sean St. Ledger and Wes Hoolahan.
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