Italy v Republic of Ireland, 22nd June, 8pm

[JJ1532]

Well, Italy are through as group winners, so may well rest players ahead of the knockouts. Even if they do, I still fancy them to have way too much for Ireland, who have been pretty poor on the whole in this tournament.

Can Ireland grab a shock win which would give them a great chance at finishing 3rd and likely qualifying for the knockouts? Or are they done and are playing for pride? Will Italy rest players and take their foot off the gas? Or will they name a strong team and go for 9 points from 9?

 

[Lewis Rutledge]

Italy are set to rest players and I reckon they've been overhyped on the basis of one good performance against Belgium. Just looking at their squad, I think Ireland should be able to get something here.

 

[Nath]

Conte has confirmed Italy will make 7-9 changes.

They will still field a strong side though with a lot of players looking to earn their spot. Which could be very dangerous. It's all or nothing for us, so hopefully we go for it much like we did against Sweden.

 

[mistermagic]

A draw would suit both sides.

1-1.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Nobody watching this?

Ireland denied a stone wall pen there just before HT. Shocking decision.

 

[JJ1532]

Not sure how much contact there was there, he seemed to go down very easily.

Nicely summed up by Howard Webb. I find myself agreeing with him.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Not sure how much contact there was there, he seemed to go down very easily.

Nicely summed up by Howard Webb. I find myself agreeing with him.

Clear elbow in the back for me. Why else would he go down. He was about to get a shot off.

 

[JJ1532]

Clear elbow in the back for me. Why else would he go down. He was about to get a shot off.

Because he felt the defender on his back. There just doesn't seem to be enough body contact to push him to the floor.

 

[wakey1512]

Very rough match tonight. A lot of contact mostly from Italy it seems

 

[DarkSithLord]

Because he felt the defender on his back. There just doesn't seem to be enough body contact to push him to the floor.

Their looked enough contact for me. We will have to agree to disagree.

 

[JJ1532]

We will have to agree to disagree.

I agree.

 

[SamScfc]

Don't understand O'Neill here.

Brady is a natural wide player, and who is good at crossing the ball, and is playing centre mid, while Hendrick, who is a natural centre mid, is on the wing?

 

[mistermagic]

Big chance for Ireland there. Should have scored.

 

[mistermagic]

1-0 to Ireland. Brady.

Nice one.

 

[Super_horns]

Well this would be some result..

 

[mistermagic]

France v Ireland as it stands...

 

[DarkSithLord]

Well this would be some result..

Italy arent interested at all. Good win for Ireland but Italy dont care.

 

[Master D]

Ireland dropped lucky facing an already through Italy but glad they did. Much rather play N.Ireland than Turkey.

 

[Blitzballer]

Well done Ireland

 

[Renegade]

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Wes Hoolahan you beauty

The Euros are great #REMAIN

 

[JimJams]

Never in doubt was it?

 

[Nath]

That was quite special.

I think Wes might have played the ball of the tournament tonight. Unbelievable pass. Even more remarkable considering he fecked up a few minutes before.

 

[voltage]

What an incredible classifying from Ireland.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Congratulations Ireland, a win against Italy is always a fantastic result for them even though Italy rested the majority of the team, and in fairness they deserved it. Not sure how much further they can progress not been overly impressed with them, reaching the last 16 is probably more than they could have hoped for.

As for Italy if they can perform like they did against Belgium when they face Spain you could see them doing it, can't take a lot out of that tonight it was effectively the second string side.

 

[Nilsson]

Class from Ireland. Delighted for Robbie Brady, always liked him and that goal will be remembered forever. What a cross by Hoolahan too.

Hopefully they learned from the Belgium defeat and give France a good game.

 

[Nilsson]

I didn't know what love was until I saw the way Roy Keane and Martin O'Neill looked at and held eachother.

 

[Stevencc]

https://twitter.com/hashim0307/status/745723024205287424

Buffon. What a beautiful, beautiful man.

 

[Veggie Legs]

Murphy starts, Ireland win... hope O'Neill has learned a lesson there.

 

[Munkiki]

Murphy starts, Ireland win... hope O'Neill has learned a lesson there.

A decision that almost cost them.

Good job he saw the error of his ways and dragged the lump off before it was too late. Two proper footballers combining to take Ireland through... standard.

 

[epic73]

What a cross from Hoolahan! Ireland through from the Group of Death thanks to Wes Hoolahan and some slightly lucky scheduling. Would have been nicer if Sweden had (deservedly) beat Belgium, but still, I'll take it.