EU and Arab League reaffirm support for two-state solution, urge Hamas to disarm    Japan's Fukushima plant workers evacuate after tsunami warning    EU fails to agree Israeli suspension from research fund over Gaza    Saudi Arabia, Palestine sign three MoUs to support human capital, education, and digital transformation    Magnitude 4.68 earthquake recorded in Red Sea, 150 km off Jazan coast    Fahad bin Nafel steps down as Al Hilal president after historic six-year run    Saudi Arabia marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with sweeping reforms and global partnerships    Amazon.sa prime members set to save big during seven-day sale from July 25 to 31    Keeta reaches 11 new cities in Saudi Arabia    Saudi Economic and Development Affairs Council reviews Vision 2030 progress, economic outlook    João Félix unveiled by Al Nassr as €50m move marks bold new chapter in Riyadh    Saudi Arabia approves first Alzheimer's treatment with lecanemab for early-stage patients    Saudi minister explores investment and industrial partnerships with US private sector in Chicago    India's AI-driven tech firings could derail middle class dreams    Saudi Arabia issues 83 new industrial licenses in June worth $253 million    Chris Tucker, Pete Davidson and Aziz Ansari among stars set for Riyadh Comedy Festival    Al Nassr beat Benfica to €50m João Félix signing after Ronaldo, Jesus intervene    Saudi Games 2025 postponed to prioritize athlete readiness for major events    Female HR exec resigns after viral Coldplay concert embrace with CEO    Ithra announces open call for 7th Ithra Art Prize with expanded exhibition format    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Brady's late goal lifts Ireland into last 16
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 24 - 06 - 2016

Robbie Brady scored a glorious late winner for Ireland to put it through to the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time with a 1-0 win over Group E winner Italy.
In the other match in the same group in Nice, a late goal by Radja Nainggolan earned Belgium a last-16 berth with a 1-0 win over Sweden ending superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic's international career with a defeat.
The Roma midfielder, reportedly wanted by Chelsea, controlled a cross from Eden Hazard outside the area and powered it into the net in the 82nd minute. Belgium now takes on Hungary in Toulouse.
Brady scored his 85th minute headed goal from a pinpoint cross by his Norwich City clubmate Wes Hoolahan, who had just spurned a golden opportunity to seal the well-deserved victory himself.
It delivered Irish football one of its most famous nights against a second-string Italy side, with the three points securing third place in the group and setting up a last-16 tie against host France in Lyon Sunday.
With his team already guaranteed to top the group, Antonio Conte made eight changes, with only Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Alessandro Florenzi surviving fron the side that started against Sweden.
The Irish began like a team on a mission, full back Seamus Coleman thundering into a tackle in the opening seconds to lay down a marker, and plenty of tough challenges from both sides followed.
Ireland almost took an early lead when Jeff Hendrick jinked to create some space at the edge of the box and hit a left-footed piledriver that flew just wide of the top corner.
In the 21st minute, Daryl Murphy met Brady's outswinging corner with a powerful header, forcing Salvatore Sirigu to make a flying save and tip the ball over the bar for another corner.
Italy had to wait until just before halftime for its first decent chance, Ciro Immobile dragging his shot just wide after a well-worked short free kick.
Moments later the Irish were denied what looked a clear penalty when James McClean was pushed in the back by Federico Bernardeschi, but referee Ovidiu Hategan turned down their appeals, leaving coach Martin O'Neill incandescent with rage.
Simone Zaza almost broke the deadlock on a rare Italian foray forward with a fizzing shot after the break, but then Ireland dominated almost the entire second half.
With 13 minutes left and the Irish tiring, O'Neill threw on playmaker Hoolahan, who netted the goal in Ireland's 1-1 draw with Sweden, in a last-gasp effort to finally unlock the Italian defense.
He missed a glorious chance to put his side ahead minutes later, shooting straight at Sirigu when he got through one-on-one and it looked as if Ireland was heading for elimination.
Yet he made amends soon after, crossing for Brady to head Ireland into the lead and send the Irish fans into raptures.
In Nice, there was to be no salvation for Sweden, nor one more game for Ibrahimovic.
He battled to the end, almost snatching a late equalizer with a half volley on the turn, but the dying minutes were instead marked by the Belgian fans raucously chanting "Bye Bye Ibrahimovic!"
"It's heavy, it's disappointing, but at the same time I enjoyed it, we got the possibility to play at the Euros, and represent Sweden," said Ibrahimovic.
"At the same time I am proud, this was my last game in the national team, I have many fantastic memories."
Sweden coach Erik Hamren said Ibrahimovic was a "unique" talent that cannot be replaced.
"I hope we can find another player, not a Zlatan as I don't think in a small country like Sweden you can find someone like that, he's really unique," said Hamren.
Sweden finished bottom of the group and will look back with regret on a flat performance in its opener against Ireland.
Facing elimination if defeated, both teams pushed forward to attack which produced a pulsating first half hour in balmy Nice.
Belgium launched regular raids with Kevin De Bruyne through the middle and Hazard, roving from wing to wing, at the heart of the danger.
As the clock ran down in the second half the temperature began rising again as Belgium wasted a host of chances to kill of Swedish hopes.
However, Nainggolan secured a richly-talented Belgian side's place on the favourable half of the draw with a rasping drive into the far corner.


Clic here to read the story from its source.