Gianluigi Buffon showed pure class at the final whistle of the Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 win over Italy on Wednesday night.
Robbie Brady’s brilliant late headed goal, from Wes Hoolahan’s wonderful floated cross, sent Ireland into the last 16 of Euro 2016, where they will play hosts France in Lyon on Sunday.
Buffon – who watched the game from the bench as Antonio Conte chose to roll the dice with Salvatore Sirigu – offered an example of how to behave when being on the end of a poor result (we’re looking at you, Cristiano Ronaldo).
On the full time whistle, the legendary Italian goalkeeper made his way for Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane, offering the Ireland management team warm congratulations. And it wasn’t just a token gesture, as you can see the Juventus goalkeeper knew just how much those three points meant to the Irish.
Pure class.
Straight after the final whistle, Buffon comes over to Keane and O'Neill to congratulate them. Brilliant. #IRLITA pic.twitter.com/A3jEuYsz1B
— Tim Gatt (@TimGatt) June 22, 2016
Italy’s punishment reward for finishing top of Group E is a second round tie with back-to-back champions Spain on Monday, in a repeat of the Euro 2012 final in which the Spaniards ran out 4-0 winners.
It will be the fourth time they have met in three European Championships, with the Italians being sent home by their Iberian rivals from Euro 2008 after a quarter-final penalty shoot out following a 0-0 draw, while the sides drew again in the group stages of Euro 2012 before Spain dismantled Italy in the final.
