Republic of Ireland Player Ratings -v- Italy

The Republic of Ireland sealed passage to the knockout stages of the European Championships – and a date with hosts and two-time winners France – with a dramatic victory over Italy at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.

Extratime.ie was there for the historic occasion (match report here) and this is how we rated the Ireland team.

Darren Randolph: 6

A couple of nervy moments with the ball at his feet early doors set hearts racing for the wrong reasons, but a casual dragback later in the half to stand up Immobile was a reminder that ice runs in the Bray goalkeeper's veins. As usual, he was a dominant presence under the high ball and, though he was beaten once, by Insigne's shot that rattled the post, he appeared to have it covered.

Seamus Coleman: 7

The stand-in captain performed below his high standards in the first two group games, but he led by example against Italy as he put in the first of many reducers in the early stages to send a message that Ireland were prepared for a physical battle. Had a relatively easy night defensively against the ineffectual Federico Bernardeschi, and the Italian's narrow shape gave him plenty of opportunities to get forward to good effect.

Richard Keogh: 7

The less surprising of the two central defensive changes ahead of the match, Keogh could consider himself a little unlucky not to start the opening games having played in four of the final five games in qualifying. Derby County's three-time player of the year assumed the senior role alongside Shane Duffy and limited Italy's vaunted attackers Simone Zaza and Ciro Immobile to peripheral figures.

Shane Duffy: 7

The Blackburn Rovers defender has had to wait a long time for his competitive debut, having first been involved with the squad under Giovanni Trapattoni as an 18-year-old six years ago, and Martin O'Neill placed a great deal of faith in him to start such a pivotal game. One dodgy backpass in the first half cost his side a corner, but a classy piece of sweeping to break up an Italian counter on half time was more typical of his display.

Stephen Ward: 7

The much-maligned Burnley defender will probably never be the most popular name on the teamsheet, and his occasional failure to rein in his attacking instincts can put his team under unnecessary pressure, but he's started both of the pivotal games in O'Neill's reign – Germany in Dublin and Italy last night – and justified his manager's trust. Played through the pain barrier after re-injuring his ankle in an early class with Immobile.

James McCarthy: 8

Poor performances against Sweden and Belgium, including a startlingly off-colour second half in the latter, led to calls for McCarthy to be dropped, however Martin O'Neill decided to back the younger man and rest Glenn Whelan, and he was rewarded with perhaps McCarthy's best display in an Irish shirt. His withdrawal for a third straight game suggests he may still be short of full fitness after an injury-plagued season, but he did more than enough to make himself an essential pick for France.

Jeff Hendrick: 8

Former assistant manager Marco Tardelli revealed during the week he'd recommended Hendrick to a number of Serie A clubs, who turned their noses up as he suggested Hendrick didn't come with a high enough price tag attached. The Derby County man played like a man possessed, determined to prove a point, and he seemed to be one step ahead of his more expensive opposite numbers in midfield, stepping to cut out passes before they've been made and constantly finding pockets of space to exploit, though his eagerness to break his scoring duck led to some bad shot selection. Some Serie A clubs may be forced to rethink their assessment.

Robbie Brady: 8

Whatever happens in Lyon on Sunday, the image of Brady desperately trying to hold back the tears as he wheeled towards the crowd is destined to be the defining image of Ireland's Euro campaign, summing up a team performance filled with passion and determination. The question now is whether Ireland can back up such an emotional performance with another so soon, but so consistent has Brady become that there's little doubt the Norwich City man will back it up.

James McClean: 7

The Derry man may have been frustrated not to get the nod to replace Jonathan Walters in attack for the Belgium match, but his physicality and pace were a huge asset for Ireland in a game where it was vital not to allow the Italians time to settle on the ball and play the game their way. His pace frightened Andrea Barzagli, who should have been booked for an earlier foul on the West Brom man before finally being cautioned late on.

Shane Long: 6

The Tipperary man was shifted from his preferred central striker role to accommodate the recall of Daryl Muphy up front, but he went about his task as an auxiliary right winger with his customary high work-rate. While he had fewer opportunities than usual to run at the defence, he proved so valuable an outlet that Angelo Ogbonna resorted early on to man-handling him and, when that didn't work, standing off and allowing him time to turn.

Daryl Murphy: 7

Ireland have missed the physical presence of Jon Walters since he came to the tournament injured and, while Murphy isn't a direct replacement, the Wateford man is an imposing presence who, like Long, works tirelessly to bring those around him into the game. It was his knock-down that led to Hendrick's early chance, and he teed him up for another after the break, before being withdrawn with 20 minutes to go.

Subs:

Aiden McGeady: 6

Surprisingly introduced ahead of Wes Hoolahan in place of Murphy, the Everton winger was eager to make an impression and his shooting from distance provided Ireland with an added dimension, albeit a blunt one. It was his pressing of Leonardo Bonucci that presented Hoolahan with a golden chance near the end, and he played a vital role in the winning goal as he sprayed the ball out wide to the Norwich man for the vital cross.

Wes Hoolahan: 7

Only given 12 minutes to change the game but made an immediate impact with his intelligent pressing. The history books could read a lot differently had his poor miss, when he appeared racked by indecision when presented with too much time and space, been Ireland's final. Thankfully, he was given a chance to redeem himself and his instinct pin-point cross for Brady was the sweetest redemption of all.

Stephen Quinn: 6

The Reading man may have been a tad unforunate not to be given the nod to replace Whelan, but he was thrown on for the final five minutes to defend the lead and did all he needed to do.