ROVERS star Damien Duff capped a sparkling performance with the third goal in an Irish victory over Saudi Arabia, one that sees them go through to the second round.
Duff broke in from the left-wing and his cracking shot slipped through the hands of the Saudi keeper to put the Irish safely into the last sixteen.
The Irish went two up after 61 minutes with a Gary Breen header as he got on the end of a free-kick unchallenged in the middle of the Saudi six yard box.
After just six minutes Robbie Keane cracked home a Matty Holland cross from close to the penalty spot, to give the Irish the perfect start.
But Saudi Arabia had the chances to equalise during the first-half keeping Given busy in the Irish goal.
In the other game Germany beat Cameroon 2-0 despite going down to ten men after 40 mins and in the 77th minute Cameroon also had a man sent off.
The results mean Germany go through as Group E winners, with Ireland in second place and likely to face Spain.
Team news:
Saudi Arabia: Mohammed Al-Daeyea (capt), Mohammed Al-Jahani, Redha Tukar, Abdullah Sulaiman Zubromawi, Fouzi Al-Shehri, Ibrahim Al-Shahrani, Hussein Sulimani, Abdulaziz Khathran, Khamis al-Owairan Al Dossary, Nawaf Al-Temyat, Hassan Al-Yami
Ireland: Given, Finnan, Breen, Staunton, Harte, Kelly, Holland, Kinsella, Kilbane, Keane, Duff.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article