An overwhelmed James McClean said the Republic of Ireland were driven by their "love for this country, for those fans, for ourselves and for our families" in the wake of an emotional 1-0 victory over Italy on Wednesday night.
Robbie Brady's late header sparked wild celebrations across the nation as Martin O'Neill's men booked a date with France in the last 16 of Euro 2016.
McClean produced a storming display for the Irish, tearing into tackles and driving at the Azzurri at every opportunity. He struggled to put into the words the enormity of the win, as he savoured one of Ireland's great sporting moments.
"I don't have any words," the Derry man told RTÉ Sport. "Unbelievable. We did it the hard way, but it's always worth it. We just thought, 'we'll leave it until the last few minutes and then we'll score as we always do and build up the atmosphere here!
"No, all joking aside we knew it was win or bust. We went out from the first whistle and we gave it everything. Hopefully that showed.
It was GBH on me tonight, I might put a complaint into the police!
"The passion and our love for this country, for those fans, for ourselves and for our families, I think we left nothing on that field. In terms of football, it was the best night ever."
James McClean: We did it for "this country, for those fans, for ourselves and our families." https://t.co/y1OKItPBiEhttps://t.co/8burLO1Fgm
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 22, 2016
Much had been made of the make-up of Antonio Conte's side ahead of the do-or-die showdown, as Italy, with progression assured, rested some key men.
McClean insisted a highly accomplished side still lined up against Ireland, and immediately set his sights on Sunday's clash with host nation France in Lyon (2pm).
"Fair enough it wasn't the first-choice Italian side, but all those boys play in top top side and they're still a very good outfit," he added.
"I don't know what it's going to take for us to get a penalty in this tournament (McClean was hauled down in the box in the first half).
"We should have had one against Belgium. It was GBH on me tonight, I might put a complaint into the police!
"But who cares, we're through. Robbie Brady will never have to buy another pint for the rest of his life. We'll savour this now. It's a feeling that I'll never ever forget. Hopefully we've another night like this to come."
