Robbie Brady handed the Republic of Ireland a dream start on Sunday as his penalty gave them a 1-0 lead against France in their last-16 clash at Euro 2016.
GOL DE ROBBIE BRADY!
França ?? 0x1 ?? Irlanda
Siga: @FutNaRedonda https://t.co/2veFsA63Gz
— Gols pelo mundo (@NRgols) June 26, 2016
There was a lively start to the game and it took just a minute for the first goal as Paul Pogba was adjudged to have brought down Shane Long in the box to silence the home crowd.
Brady, fresh from his heroics against Italy last time out to help the Irish book their spot in the knockout stage of the tournament, stepped up, kept his cool and sent his penalty in off the post to beat Hugo Lloris.
While it was exactly the kind of start that Ireland would have wanted, they will now certainly face a tough afternoon as they look to protect their lead against the hosts who will be desperate to respond.
With attacking talents such as Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Dimitri Payet and Paul Pogba on the pitch, it could be a long game for Martin O’Neill’s side.