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Italy national football team
European Championship | Group Stage
Jun 22, 2016 at 8pm UK
 
Republic of Ireland national football team

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Brady (85')

Robbie Brady wins it as Republic of Ireland advance

Robbie Brady scores an 85th-minute winner as Republic of Ireland book their spot in the last-16 stage of Euro 2016 with a 1-0 win over Italy in Lille.

Republic of Ireland have advanced to the knockout stage of Euro 2016 courtesy of a 1-0 win over Italy in Lille, which was enough to see them qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Martin O'Neill's side needed to overcome the four-time world champions to secure a spot in the first knockout round, and Robbie Brady's 85th-minute winner was enough to send the Irish into the last-16 of a European Championship for the first time in their history.

Robbie Brady celebrates scoring during the Euro 2016 Group E match between Italy and Republic of Ireland on June 22, 2016© AFP

As expected, it was an all-action start in Lille as Republic of Ireland looked to put down a marker with a number of strong challenges, just as assistant manager Roy Keane had asked for in the build-up to the Group E clash.

The first shot of the match came in the ninth minute when Jeff Hendrick unleashed one from distance after bullying Thiago Motta off the ball, but the Republic of Ireland midfielder's effort just swung wide of the far post.

Italy boss Antonio Conte made eight changes to his lineup, but Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli both kept their places at the back and Republic of Ireland were struggling to break through a stern defence as play developed.

Daryl Murphy was the first player in white to test Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and the 29-year-old had to be alert to keep out a close-range header from the Ipswich Town striker at the mid-point of the first period.

Daryl Murphy and Angelo Ogbonna  in action during the Euro 2016 Group E match between Italy and Republic of Ireland  on June 22, 2016© AFP

Shane Duffy was next to come close for O'Neill's side in the 32nd minute as Italy were forced to defend their penalty box from a series of crosses, but the centre-back headed wide of the far post.

Republic of Ireland continued to threaten in the latter stages of the first period as Brady impressed with his set-piece delivery, but Italy came close to an opener themselves in the 43rd minute - Ciro Immobile just missing the post with a powerful strike from distance.

The most controversial moment of the first half arrived in the 44th minute when Federico Bernardeschi bundled into the back of McClean inside the Italian box, but the referee was not interested and waved play on.

Simone Zaza almost scored a spectacular opener for Italy in the 53rd minute after a Mattia De Sciglio cross from the left, but the Juventus forward just missed the target with a clever volley, which had appeared destined for the net.

Simone Zaza reacts during the Euro 2016 Group E match between Italy and Republic of Ireland on June 22, 2016© Getty Images

Four minutes later, Republic of Ireland had their first real chance of the second period after some slack defending from Motta, but Seamus Coleman's powerful effort was blocked by Angelo Ogbonna.

Hendrick was next to try his luck for O'Neill's side just past the hour, but the Derby County midfielder missed the target as Italy continued to defend deep and close the space in the final third.

Aiden McGeady was introduced 20 minutes from time as Republic of Ireland prepared a late rally, and the attacker showed smart feet in a forward position before firing over the crossbar in the 75th minute of action.

Lorenzo Insigne came close to sending Italy ahead 12 minutes from time after riding a host of challenges and curling a low effort towards the bottom corner, but the ball smashed off the outside of the post.

Wes Hoolahan appeared to have fluffed Republic of Ireland's best chance in the 84th minute when he failed to beat Sirigu from close range, but O'Neill's side were ahead less than one minute later when Brady headed a Hoolahan cross home from close range to send his supporters into ecstasy.

In a repeat of the Euro 2012 final, Italy will take on reigning champions Spain in the last-16 stage of the competition on Monday night at the Stade de France, while Republic of Ireland will face hosts France on Sunday afternoon in Lyon.

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Republic of Ireland's assistant manager Roy Keane walks on the touchline before kick off of the international friendly football match between Republic of Ireland and Latvia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on November 15, 2013
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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