Reuters
Lille, June 23: Robbie Brady scored a glorious late winner for Ireland to put them through to the knockout stages of the European Championships for the first time with a 1-0 win over Group E winners Italy here Wedensday.
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.
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 Sunday against hosts France in Lyon.
“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.
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo finally came to party for Portugal scoring twice against Hungary as both sides reached the last 16 stage with a thrilling 3-3 draw at Lyon. In the process Ronaldo became the first player to score in four European Championships.
Portugal came from behind three times as Ronaldo, who also set a tournament record of 17 appearances, finally rediscovered his touch to help them secure a third straight draw that left them third in Group F and set up a last 16 meeting with Croatia.
Hungary, appearing in a major tournament for the first time in 30 years, topped the group with seven points thanks in large part to their captain Balazs Dzsudzsak, who scored two deflected goals.
Iceland also qualified in second after a last-gasp goal in their 2-1 win over Austria dramatically changed the outcome of the group. Until then, Portugal had been heading for a last 16 tie against England.