Robbie Brady put the ball in the Italian net.
A moment to last a lifetime. Ireland have made history and qualified for the second round of the European Championship with a monumental goal in the 85th minute.
On a night that Ireland needed to win, Martin O’Neill got his tactics spot on.
The Derry man made a huge call and dropped Wes Hoolahan but he did it so he could deploy a 4-3-3 of energy, pace, and drive. That’s exactly what he got. The Italians were pressed, the Irish were zipping and, come what may, it was a performance to be proud of.
Thankfully, it was a performance to remember forever as the 1-0 scoreline put the Irish through to the next round.
Here’s how the players rated.
Darren Randolph – 7
Tekkers. Terrifying tekkers #IRLITA pic.twitter.com/tjFwbt7MuX
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 22, 2016
Chewing gum, sending Simeon Zaza shopping and generally looking as comfortable as ever between the sticks. A couple of bad kick-outs on the ropy pitch but looked assured throughout.
Seamus Coleman – 8.5
McCarthy is f**king on it tonight
Seamus Coleman is making damned sure of itpic.twitter.com/Vsy5SfTPYd
— Conán Doherty (@ConanDoherty) June 22, 2016
From the muddied fields of Emerald Park to leading his country out on one of its biggest ever nights, Seamus Coleman played like a man possessed. Passion and aggression, steel and pure Irishness. He didn’t want to go home early and he did everything in his own power to try and affect that.
Shane Duffy – 8
The ball drew to his head like a magnet in defence and attack. Brady sounded him out from set pieces and he got on the end of everything. Barked and screamed above the cauldron of noise.
Richard Keogh – 8
Came back into the side and made it even more hard to believe that he was dropped in the first place after his stunning end to the qualifying campaign. At times, when the rest of the team were getting carried away and overcome with passion and anger up the pitch, it was Keogh there keeping his head at the back, putting out fires before they were even starting.
Stephen Ward – 7
Grand. Again. Didn’t put a foot wrong. Again. Let the midfield flourish. Again. On his biggest ever night in football, showed he belonged.
Jeff Hendrick – 8.5
Brought the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to its feet with a rasper of a left-footed strike that looked bound for the top corner. Inches are an exaggeration. It was centimeters. Everything he did was right. Again. Everything he did was threatening, Again. There’s an exciting period in Irish football ahead with him and Brady running the show. He is blossoming.
James McCarthy – 8.5
There’d be no falling asleep on Wednesday night. McCarthy was given the task of holding the middle of the park on his own and he did it like his life depended on it. Strong in the tackle, quick in possession, sharp across the ground. Just like the Germany game, he thrived in the absence of Whelan.
Martin O'Neill deliberately dragged James McCarthy back from the bench there to give him a proper well done.
That was a big moment for him— Conán Doherty (@ConanDoherty) June 22, 2016
Robbie Brady – 9
History. Made.
Showed on Wednesday night that he is going to lead this country for the next seven years at least. Deployed in a middle three, he answered Roy Keane’s rallying call and showed balls – and loads of it. He went hunting for possession, his second touch was always looking to take on a man, looking to get forward and he influenced the game in an electrifying way. His performance from open play was so good that we don’t even need to mention his set pieces.
And that goal.
Shane Long – 7
Couldn’t move without an Italian arm wrapped around him but he moved nonetheless. Started on the right hand side before going into the centre to lead the line for the last 20 minutes. Wasn’t given anything to chase over the top again but he worried the opposition
Daryl Murphy – 7
Drew the best from stand-in Salvatore Sirigu in the first half with a powering header. Led the line with aggression and purpose. Put himself about, chased back with vigour and gave 70 minutes of sweat and bruises for the cause.
James McClean – 9
Denied a stonewall penalty, ran at the Italians with menace and purpose, hit blue shirts for all his worth. Deployed on the left of a front three and he was never more involved in a football match.
Subs
Aiden McGeady – 7
Jinked, jived, whipped in crosses and had an effort himself. Tried to affect the play in a positive way.
Wes Hoolahan – 8
Missed a sitter. Set up the winner. An introduction at the right time. A beautiful introduction. A historic introduction.
Stephen Quinn – 6
Saw it home.
