LILLE, France -- Martin O'Neill stood at the edge of his technical area, arms out and up, looking from behind like a man on an airport runway directing landings in a black and white movie. Ireland had taken the lead over Italy minutes earlier and even from a distance, you could sense his body tense and arms quiver. He was waiting for his release.
When referee Ovidiu Hategan blew his whistle, O'Neill did his trademark jump, 180-degree spin and fist pump. Substitutes rushed on to the pitch. Italy boss Antonio Conte, who clearly could not wait to get out of there after a horrific Azzurri performance, scurried over to congratulate and his counterpart.