Ireland beat group winners Italy 1-0 on Wednesday to become the fourth and final home nation to progress to the last 16.
Republic of Ireland completed the 100% record of the home nations in reaching the last 16 of Euro 2016 with a famous late win over group winners Italy on Wednesday night.
With England, Wales, and Northern Ireland already having secured their progression from the group stages, Ireland made it four from four in the most dramatic of fashions against one of the tournament favourites.
In truth, Ireland deserved their win against a much-changed Italian side, having the better of the chances and showing the type of fight and passion which has typified the country’s side in recent history.
With the clock ticking down and Martin O’Neill his usual jittery self on the touchline, his players didn’t even panic when Wes Hoolahan fired tamely at the goalkeeper when clean through on goal with just eight minutes left to play.
Less than 60 seconds after that horror miss, Hoolahan made up for his miss by swinging in the peach of a cross which Robbie Brady got his head to secure qualification for the Irish and immortality for himself.
That win set up a tie with host nation France in the last 16, but after the game the Ireland players allowed themselves the night to celebrate their superb achievement.
Ireland veteran and current back-up goalkeeper Shay Given shared a photo of himself with the matchwinning hero Brady, while other stars including Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark expressed their joy at the win.
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