Ireland are through to the second round of Euro 2016*
(*If they beat Italy)
Granted, it’s a very bloody big chunk of terms and conditions but nobody likes reading small print.
A win on Wednesday would guarantee the Republic at least third place in Group E. And those four points would take them through to the second round.
Group E
If Ireland beat Italy, they’ll come at least third no matter what. They’d need a considerable win to jump into second and hope Sweden beat Belgium at the same time.
But after Northern Ireland lost 1-0 to Germany on Tuesday night, four points guarantee Martin O’Neill’s men a spot in the next round.
Four third-place teams advance in the tournament. So you just need to be ranked higher than two counterparts.
Group A is already complete and Albania sit with three points.
Group A
If Ireland beat Italy, they’ll be ahead of Albania.
And, thanks to Germany’s result in Paris, if Ireland beat Italy, they’ll also be ahead of Northern Ireland.
Group C
If Ireland beat Italy…
It’s the winning a game is the problem for the country now.
Still, at least they go into the fixture with any of the nonsense cleared up. The brief is simple: win and you’re through.
Win, finish third, and Ireland face off with either France or Spain/Croatia in the next round. Brilliant.
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