Belgium seal last-16 berth in Ibrahimovic farewell

LILLE

Robbie Brady struck with just five minutes remaining as the Republic of Ireland claimed a dramatic 1-0 win over Italy in Lille on Wednesday to reach the knockout phase of Euro 2016.

Brady's goal arrived just when it looked as if Ireland were heading out due to a combination of Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan.

Ireland had to win the match at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy against an Italian side already assured of first place in Group E and got the win they needed to set up a last-16 tie against hosts France.

Before Brady struck, Sirigu, standing in for Gianluigi Buffon in the Italian goal, made a superb save to deny Daryl Murphy while Hategan twice waved away Irish penalty appeals in the first half.

Coach Martin O'Neill made four changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Belgium last weekend in Bordeaux as Ireland looked for their first win over Italy in a competitive match since the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

James McClean and Daryl Murphy started while it was all change in central defence with Richard Keogh and Shane Duffy chosen to partner one another.

With top spot in the group sewn up and with one eye on their last-16 tie against Spain next Monday, Italy coach Antonio Conte made eight changes to his side.

The lack of rhythm of what was essentially an Italian B team played into the hands of Ireland, who came out of the traps flying, adrenaline pumping and with a vast support behind them.

The roof was closed at the stadium, a decision which had the effect of raising the noise levels but also helped to protect a shocking pitch from further deteriorating before it is replaced for the knockout rounds.

The surface may not have lent itself to flowing football but Jeff Hendrick showed great technique to fashion a shooting opportunity on his left foot that flew inches wide from 20 metres out early on. Murphy, who had never scored for Ireland

POWERED INTO THE NET

Meanwhile, a late goal by Premier League target Radja Nainggolan earned Belgium a last-16 berth with a 1-0 win over Sweden making superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic end his 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 take on Hungary in Toulouse on June 26.

Sweden finished third in the group and will look back with regret on a flat performance in their opener against Ireland.

Facing elimination if defeated, both teams pushed forward to attack which produced a pulsating first half hour in balmy Nice.

Chances came thick and fast. Sweden almost had a dream start three minutes in when a goalmouth half-volley by Marcus Berg, in for John Giudetti as strike partner to Ibrahimovic, was batted out by Thibaut Courtois.

Playing in unfamiliar turquoise jerseys, Belgium launched regular raids with Kevin De Bruyne through the middle and Hazard, roving from wing to wing, at the heart of the danger.

Midway through the half, a backheel from Hazard let the Man City star fire a shot straight at the Isaksson.

Another surging De Bruyne run forced a yellow card for Albin Ekdal after a last-ditch trip on the Man City star, while twice in five minutes he drilled dangerous crosses across the goalmouth.

But Sweden's defence contained Romelu Lukaku, whose double against the Republic of Ireland in Belgium's previous game resurrected their Euro 2016 campaign after the opening defeat to Italy.

At the other end, Ibrahimovic had little joy, bar the occasional half-chance snapshot or attempt at a spectacular volley.

ULTIMATELY FRUSTRATING

But none came to anything on an ultimately frustrating night for the Swedish legend who announced his international retirement ater Euro 2016 on Tuesday.

It was Belgium who nearly entered the break in front, when Meurier headed an inch-perfect De Bruyne cross just wide of Andreas Isaksson's post.
As the clock ran down in the second half the temperature began rising again.

Belgium had a strong penalty claim turned when a Carrasco cross was blocked, while on the hour Isaksson dived at full length to keep out a De Bruyne drive.

With fifteen minutes to go Belgium nearly made a breakthrough when a powerful Lukaku break was foiled by Isakksson who spread his body well to the shot.

A minute later, an identical run by the Everton striker, this time with a neat finish, was ruled offside.

Time was running out on Ibrahimovic when he went close with a freekick turned away by Courtois with a quarter hour to go.
Then a header was cleared off the line by Meunier.

But there was to be no salvation for Sweden, nor one more game for Ibrahimovic.

He battled to the end, almost snatching a late equaliser with a half volley on the turn, but the dying minutes were instead marked by the Belgian fans raucously chanting "Bye Bye Ibrahimovic!"