ROVERS winger Damien Duff was once again in sparkling form as Mick McCarthy's Ireland booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Needing a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia to guarantee their place in the last 16 they went one better with Duff getting the final goal three minutes from time.

Germany's 2-0 defeat of Cameroon means they topped Group E and the Irish are now likely to face Spain on Sunday afternoon for a place in the quarter-finals.

Robbie Keane gave Irleand the perfect start with a volleyed opener in the seventh minute but for much of the rest of the half there were plenty of nervy moments.

Fortunately the Saudis offered very little in attack and Shay Given was able to have a reasonably comfortable time in the Irish goal.

All that changed after the break when Niall Quinn came on and Duff was released down the left where he caused havoc for the Saudi defence.

Time and again he took on players and got crosses in and it was no surprise when they went two up with big defender Gary Breen volleying home a left wing free kick.

The party had started among the Irish fans with celebrations undoubtedly mirrored in bars all over the globe and Duff's final goal set the seal on another memorable adventure for the men in green.

The farce and the fuss on the Roy Keane saga melted away in a tide of emotion and it is a safe bet that the Spanish will not be looking forward to taking on Irish on Sunday.