Liam Brady believes Italy’s 1-0 win over Sweden improves the Republic of Ireland’s chances of qualification from Group E of Euro 2016.

“It’s the result we wanted,” the Irish Examiner columnist said on RTE, reasoning Italy are likely to field a weakened team in their final group game against Ireland, now they have qualified for the last-16.

“It gives Ireland a good chance. I think he’ll (Italy manager Antonio Conte) rest a lot of players. And that might play into our hands.”

Despite Italy’s second win, Brady wasn’t impressed with the performance against Sweden.

“I don’t think they were going to break their backs to win the match .They got the bonus of the goal at the end and now they’ve qualified.

“Up front, they are struggling. Pelle was poor. Zaza looked a bit more lively when he came on. Eder took his goal really well but no real threat. I don’t see us having nightmares defending against Italy.”

Though he again praised an Italy defence which has yet to concede a goal.

“They’re so good at it. They’re so used to it, the three lads at the back. Sweden went route one, they had no problem with it. They’re all big lads, Buffon in behind them, real seasoned campaigners. They’ve been around the block a million times.”