Ireland plot revenge on France after epic victory over Italy

Ireland 1 Italy 0

Ireland pulled off one of the biggest shocks of Euro 2016 to beat Group E winners Italy and claim third place, meaning all four teams from the British Isles have now booked a place in the knockout stages.

Robbie Brady scored the all-important goal with five minutes left to play and Ireland apparently heading home after blowing a clear opportunity to take the lead seconds earlier.

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His header was "the glorious second act that you thought would never come for Ireland once they had missed the chance that was supposed to win them this game", says Sam Wallace of the Daily Telegraph.

Wes Hoolahan was the man at the centre of the drama, going clean through on goal after a mistake by Leonardo Bonucci before shooting straight at keeper Salvatore Sirigu.

"It felt like the dream was over," says Wallace.

However, he atoned for his error merely seconds later, with a cross that Brady converted.

"This, it turned out, was the moment for a new generation of Irish footballers and Irish fans to say was their day, and their hour," adds Wallace.

It "changed everything", says Oliver Kay in The Times. "Of all the dramatic late twists witnessed so far in this tournament, none has been greeted so wildly and joyously as a goal that will earn Brady a place in Irish football folklore."

Indeed, Brady's goal will be remembered alongside Ray Houghton's winner against the same opponents at the 1994 World Cup.

Their reward is a last-16 game against France and Martin O'Neill's team are unlikely to kowtow to their hosts.

"That meeting will bring back bitter Irish memories of Thierry Henry's infamous handball, as France beat them to a place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in such controversial circumstances, but such talk is best kept for another day," says Kay.

One thing is clear - the Irish "like a scrap", says Paul Wilson of The Guardian. They also refuse to lie down, even when victory seemed beyond them. "France probably need to start work on the stamina exercises right now," Wilson adds.

Lyon will be "awash with green and blue" when the two sides meet, says The Local. "France will be firm favourites to go through given their talented squad but they will be aware no doubt that the Irish will perhaps have added motivation in the form of revenge."

Euro 2016: Beaten Belgium face must-win clash with Ireland

14 June

Belgium 0 Italy 2

It was a marvellous Monday for Italy at the European Championships as they opened their campaign with a shock victory over one of the pre-tournament favourites. Not only that, but the other Group E tie between Ireland and Sweden ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving the Italians in firm control of Euro 2016's Group of Death.

It was a tactical victory for Italy coach Antonio Conte, and one that will delight Chelsea fans as they wait for him to take up his post next month as the Blues' new manager. Against a Belgium side that arrived in France as Europe's top-ranked team in the world, Italy's discipline and structure held firm. "Italy outclassed us in organisation, and tactically they were the best team," admitted Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who'll be playing under Conte's direction at Stamford Bridge next season.

Belgium, who had the talent if not the teamwork, had their chances but Romelu Lukaku and Divock Origi lacked accuracy in front of goal and neither Kevin de Bruyne nor Eden Hazard were able to find the creativity to break down the well-organised Italian defence.

There was no such problem for Italy, who opened the scoring on 32 minutes when Sunderland midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini prospered from Leonardo Bonucci's long pass to bury the ball past Courtois. And it was another star of the Premier League, Southampton's Graziano Pelle, who got the second in stoppage time with a flamboyant volley.

Italy, despite their four World Cup titles, have only won the Euros once, in 1968, but despite going into this year's tournament as one of the unfancied sides, Conte believes they have the chemistry to go far.

"In a tournament like this, you need an alchemy of people who get on well together," he said. "The biggest satisfaction for me tonight is to see how happy they all were, also those on the bench. There's a very good spirit in this squad."

Italy's next opponents are Sweden on Friday and on the evidence of their 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland Conte's men will fancy their chances of victory. Neither the Irish nor the Swedes lacked commitment but quality was a more precious commodity in a match that ended in a result neither side wanted.

Wes Hoolahan produced the most spectacular moment of the match, his sweet half-volley three minutes into the second-half putting the Irish ahead. But the Swedes, who were dominated in the opening 45 minutes, came back into the game after the break and levelled on 71 minutes when Ciaran Clark headed the ball into his own net from Zlatan Ibrahimovic's cross.

Ireland manager Martin O'Neill described his side's performance as "magnificent", while conceding that their failure to preserve their lead means they need to beat Belgium on Saturday if they're to have any chance of qualifying from the group stage. "I think that's probably true," said O'Neill. "We have got the two games coming up - very, very tough matches against two sides who are pretty classy. But... if I can take anything from the performance tonight, it is just that the players looked accomplished, which was great."

Euro 2016 – Group E preview: Ireland face the Group of Death

8 June

Every tournament needs a "Group of Death" and it is the misfortune of Belgium, Italy, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland to be drawn in the Euro 2016 version. It means that at least one of the group's superstars – Eden Hazard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluigi Buffon – might not feature in the knock-out stages.

Martin O'Neill's Irish team will have their work cut out to progress, but they will at least have Roy Keane on their side in what could be a fight to the death.

Belgium: Odds 10-1

Belgium are the best team in Europe and second in the world, according to Fifa, but they find themselves at longer odds than England to win Euro 2016 thanks to the competitiveness of Group E. A trip to the bookies may be in order though, as Marc Wilmots has a squad that is bursting with talent, even without the injured Vincent Kompany.

It is likely that if they get out of the group they will be installed as tournament favourites. Belgium got to the last eight at the 2014 World Cup but many thought they underachieved by not going further. Two years later a squad featuring the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku will surely expect to make the last four.

"They should finish first [in the group]. But they can't afford any more injuries," says ESPN.

Italy: Odds 18-1

Chelsea fans will be eager to see how their new manager Antonio Conte fares in France. But they are unlikely to see anything they haven't seen before. The Guardian calls Conte a "modern tinkerman" and says Italy will focus on their traditional strength – defence.

They are no strangers to an early exit at major tournaments, notes ESPN. "They were the runners-up in 2012, but are not the force they once were, as two calamitous group stage exits from the last two World Cups prove. Italy scored only 16 goals in ten games in qualifying and were obliterated by Germany in March."

Getting out of the group and into the last eight would be "quite an achievement", says Eurosport, especially after the loss of midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti before the tournament.

Sweden: 100-1

They might have Zlatan Ibrahimovic but Sweden's odds reflect the fact that they do not have much else. While their stringy striker preens, the rest of the squad must rely on hard work and team spirit.

Coach Erik Hamren "retains the public's sympathy because they recognise his resources of quality are not what they once were," says the Daily Telegraph. "Nine battlers and an ageing genius is hardly innovative or sustainable but it did put Sweden through the play-offs."

Sweden's Under-21 side won the age group tournament last season, but this is a big step up for the graduates of that side. "Ibrahimovic is so vital to the side's success that it will literally come down to how well he performs as to whether they qualify from Group E or not," says website Britwatch Sports.

Republic of Ireland: Odds 150-1

The dark horses of the group, primarily because they lack a superstar or two, Martin O'Neill's side will be well-drilled and hard to beat, and could spring a surprise.

Euro 2012 was a disaster for the Irish and assistant boss Roy Keane in particular will want to avoid the impression the Irish are only in France for another "sing song", after his angry rant four years ago.

He may well get his wish. "There will be no harder-working side than Martin O'Neill's during this tournament but they have a sprinkling of genuine quality too and certainly do not lack experience," says Eurosport. "Qualification for the last 16 will be difficult in a tight Group E but they have the capacity to pull off the one big result that could see them through."

The key players:

If the E in Group E is for ego then there is no doubt that Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic would top the table. He has little competition from within his own squad, or that of Ireland, although Wes Hoolahan could make an impression.

Italy are also short of stars, with Napoli hero Lorenzo Insigne probably the biggest draw among the outfield players. The daddy of the squad, though, remains 38-year-old Gianluigi Buffon.

Belgium bring the glamour to Group E however. Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne will be battling for top billing in the side, but if he brings his scoring boots Romelu Lukaku could do his reputation a power of good, and that could leave Everton tempted to cash in on their star striker.

The key matches:

Assuming that British neutrals will take a keen interest in the fate of Ireland, their clash with Sweden on 13 June could be crucial. "A win will do wonders to [Irish] confidence, a loss would more than likely see them out, and a draw will not do much better than a loss in that regard," says Britwatch Sports.

Not so, says ESPN which says that the 24 team format means teams all will not be lost until later in the month. "Even if you lose your first two games, you can still qualify with a win in the third," it says. "It's entirely possible that both Ireland and Italy could be in that position when they meet on 22 June in Lille."

That same evening Ibrahimovic will take on the combined talents of Belgium, in what could be a classic showdown, especially if his international career is hanging in the balance.

Infographic by www.statista.com for TheWeek.co.uk