Keane - sparked Irish celebrations.

By Mike Tyas

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Republic of Ireland v Saudi Arabia

It's entirely appropriate that the side from the land of leprechauns should write another chapter in what is a remarkable World Cup fairy story.

The men in green did brilliantly to even reach the finals from such a tough qualifying group, including the Dutch, but to progress to a likely meeting against Spain from such a potentially tough group speaks volume's for Mick McCarthy and his team especially following the trials and tribulations of the Roy Keane affair.

The performance against Saudi Arabia may not have been their very best, particularly in the first half, but whose worried about that?

The Irish got off to a perfect start through Robbie Keane's splendid volley early on and then endured half a hour of torment as the Saudis slowed the game down and frustrated the Irish.

But McCarthy must have gift of the gab as another half-time pep talk reaped the dividends when Gary Breen steered in a classy volley following a free-kick.

Breen is out of contract at Coventry but surely will have won himself a place back in the Premiership after yet another inspired performance in an Irish jersey.

McCarthy had brought on the talismanic Niall Quinn at half-time and his presence on the park, perhaps more than his actual performance, lifted the Irish lads in the second half.

The nerves that were very evident before the second goal vanished and Damien Duff richly deserved his goal, albeit helped by Dog and Duck goalkeeping by the Saudi Arabia keeper.

The Republic were in a right old mess just days before the World Cup started and their world looked like it was falling apart as Roy Keane jetted off home to Manchester.

However now it's a case of Roy who?

McCarthy said he will be judged by the Irish public when he arrives home - and surely, like Jack Charlton before him, he will be hailed a hero, whatever happens from here on in.

But, before that, there's plenty of partying and drinking to be done. Cheers!

Cameroon v Germany

When the chips are down trust the Germans to come up trumps.

Down to 10-men and with their backs to the ropes, Germany showed their ruthless efficiency in the second half after being let off the hook in the first.

Cameroon should have buried Germany before the interval but spurned three or four gift-wrapped chances, particularly Rigobert Song whose header wide of the post from in front of a gaping goal was little short of criminal.

Ironically, it was dismissal of Germany's Ramelow that proved the turning point in their favour.

Cameroon had repeatedly broke through the German defence on the counter-attack before his dismissal but in the second half the Africans hit a brick wall as Germany pulled nine behind the ball.

Instead it was Germany and their rising star, Miroslav Klose, who booked their passage through to the last 16 by scoring the second after feeding Marcus Bode for the opener.

Cameroon had no answer - particularly after Patrick Suffo saw red - and you felt sorry for them as undoubtedly the more talented team fell victim to the German machine.

You have to feel sorry for the ref, too.

The Spaniard, Lopez Nieto, set a new World Cup record for handing out a mammoth 16 yellow cards and two reds.

He'll probably have to write up each caution in triplicate in his final match report, so if he starts now he might finish before World Cup 2006 kicks off!

At least he was consistent, although being consistently awful if not the best of qualities of being a World Cup referee.

Senegal v Uruguay

What a remarkable achievement it is for Senegal to make it through to the last 16

They may have been hanging on by their fingernails against the Uruguayans in their final group match but their qualification was no fluke.

It has been acknowledged for years that the Africans have had the physical strength and pace to cause the leading nations trouble.

But Senegal, until the last, frantic 45 minutes against Uruguay have looked disciplined and tactically acute, and great credit must go to coach Bruno Metsu.

And whoever they play in the second round, Senegal will pose a threat.

They have vastly exceeded expectations and because there's absolutely no pressure on them, they will be able to play with a freedom to express themselves.

In El Hadji Diouf and Pape Bouba Diop, Senegal have players blessed with skill and vision while the pace of Henri Camara provides additional ammunition to a side that looks happiest on the counter-attack.