Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has said that his side deserved their 1-0 victory over Italy on Wednesday night.

O'Neill's side required three points to progress through to the knockout stages and after a tense showdown with the group winners, Robbie Brady headed the only goal of the game with five minutes remaining to send his nation through to the last 16.

Ireland had earlier survived a Lorenzo Insigne effort hitting the post but after the game, O'Neill was full of praise for his side who he feels played some "phenomenal" football in Lille.

O'Neill is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "We deserved to win it. We dominated for periods of the game and played some phenomenal stuff.

"It is a very special evening. To come out of the group that we were in is a great achievement."

Republic of Ireland will now face France in the second round, with that game taking place in Lyon on Sunday afternoon.