Lille (France) (AFP) – Robbie Brady admitted to being in dreamland after his late winner over Italy took the Republic of Ireland into the knockout stage of Euro 2016 on Wednesday.
“It’s what dreams are made of. We have done the job for everyone who came to see us and all the Irish fans around the world,” said Brady, whose 85th-minute goal in Lille secured a 1-0 win that took Ireland through as one of the best third-place sides.
“It is a proud night for myself and fantastic for the team.”
Brady’s goal came from a Wes Hoolahan cross just moments after Hoolahan had missed a glorious chance to put Ireland ahead, shooting straight at Salvatore Sirigu.
“I think the chance Wes had before, it was a massive moment but the ball got caught under his feet a bit.
“But he showed his character to put in a fantastic ball. He put it right on my head and I’d have done well to miss.
“It was our last chance to go and push ourselves through. We rode our luck a couple of times, with them hitting the post (through Lorenzo Insigne), but we stuck at it and got the result we deserved in the end.”
Ireland next face hosts France in Lyon on Sunday.
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