Keane celebrates his early strike (Allsport).

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Yokohama

Ireland booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup finals thanks to the Keane and Breen double act and a late gift for Damien Duff.

Leeds United striker Robbie Keane and defender Gary Breen - who is without a club after being released by Coventry - each scored with a sweet volley, and Duff made sure of second place in Group E with a fierce shot which was helped into his own net by Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Deayea.

The Irish also created history in the process as they scored more than once in a World Cup finals match for the first time, and victory sent Mick McCarthy's Boys in Green heading for the knockout phase in Korea.

Hitman Keane, who was the hero when he scored the dramatic injury time equaliser against Germany last Wednesday, struck early this time as he fired home the opening goal after only six minutes.

Skipper Steve Staunton swept the ball out to Gary Kelly who was in space wide on the right. He delivered a teasing cross and with Irish bodies queuing up in the box Keane peeled away and hooked home a fierce right-foot volley from 12 yards.

It was the 21-year-old's 12th goal in 36 appearances for his country, to keep up an impressive one in three strike rate.

Breen proved to be a less likely hero as he popped up after 61 minutes to score his sixth goal in 46 internationals.

Kevin Kilbane won a dubious free-kick on the left flank, Staunton curled the ball into the box and the big 28-year-old stuck out a boot to guide the ball into the bottom left corner.

Few players deserved a goal more than Blackburn wing wizard Duff, and his moment came four minutes before the end when his angled drive was helped into the net by the Saudi skipper. Surprisingly it was only his second goal in 29 internationals.

However, the Republic's victory was not all plain sailing as the battling Saudis gave them a few scares before they made the game safe.

McCarthy's men were not used to being ahead in this tournament, as they had to come from a goal behind to secure draws against both Cameroon and Germany.

So, instead of punishing the dithering Saudis further after taking the lead, they sat back and allowed their opponents to play a bit.

In fact, it was Shay Given who was the busier of the two goalkeepers and he had to make three important saves to keep the lead intact in the last four minutes of the half.

First, after 41 minutes, he made an important block at his left hand post after Mohammed Al Jahani got the better of Ian Harte.

A minute later Given had to punch clear Nawaf Al Temyat's fierce inswinging free-kick from the left, and then in injury time he was forced to make another punched clearance when the ball was delivered into the box.

Ireland's cause was helped at half-time when Harte was taken off, Kilbane took up an attacking left-back role and Duff dropped back to rampage down the left flank.

Niall Quinn came on to partner Keane in attack and give the Saudis something to think about.

Quinn's physical presence again made a difference, as it did against Germany, and he might have scored himself had he taken more time when chances came his way.

Given had to be on his toes in the second half too, again punching clear when danger men Al Temyat and Al Hasan Al Yami threatened.

But the game was made safe when Duff struck shortly before the end and with Germany beating Cameroon in the other match to top the Group, the Irish will face either Spain or South Africa in Suwon on Sunday.

Teams

Saudi Arabia: Al Daeyea, Al Jahani (Ahmed Al Dossari 78), Tukar, Zubromawi (Abdallah Al Dossari 68), Al Shehri, Sulimani, Al Temyat, Al Khathran (Al Shlhoub 67), Khamis Alowairan Al Dossari, Ibrahim Al Shahrani, Al Yami.

Subs Not Used: Obeid Al Dossari, Al Ghamdi, Al Jaber, Abdallah Al Shahrani, Al Thagafi, Babkr, Harthi, Noor, Zaid.

Booked: Al Temyat.

Rep of Ireland: Given, Finnan, Staunton, Breen, Harte (Quinn 46), Gary Kelly (McAteer 80), Kinsella (Carsley 89), Holland, Kilbane, Keane, Duff.

Subs Not Used: Connolly, Cunningham, Dunne, Alan Kelly, Kiely, Morrison, O'Brien, Reid.

Booked: Staunton.

Goals: Keane 7, Breen 62, Duff 87.

Att: 65,320

Ref: Falla Ndoye (Senegal).