Ireland knew that if they were to extend their stay at Euro 2016, they’d have to do it the hard way.
Only a win would do against an Italian side protecting the tournament’s only 100% record. It seemed like a step too far.
Having been on the wrong end of a couple of contentious refereeing decisions in the first half – especially what seemed like a certain penalty for a foul against James McClean – some would have feared that their chance to snatch a place in the last 16 had passed them by.
But with just five minutes of normal time remaining, Robbie Brady managed to nod home the only game of the match – sending every Irishman wild in the process.
GOOOAAALLL! Robbie Brady gives #IRL the lead late on! What scenes! #ITAIRL https://t.co/XOWmzkdMYx
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 22, 2016
What a moment.
Echoing the sentiments of many Irishmen was another notable Irish sporting hero. Conor McGregor took to Twitter in the moments after the full-time whistle to congratulate his countrymen on their first competitive win over Italy since the 1994 World Cup.
With just 149 characters to play around with, McGregor saluted James McClean and Brady’s finish, as well as letting the world know exactly what he thought about the referee’s performance.
What a night in Lille. We suspect there’ll be plenty of sore heads there tomorrow morning.
