Ireland 2 – Italy 2

Geovanni Trappatoni’s men got off to the best possible start when Liam Lawrence’s squared free kick to Glenn Whelan met a sublime strike to put the hosts ahead. The Republic famously upset the Italians in 1994 by scoring early and holding out for the win. History would not repeat itself, however; just 17 minutes later the visitors were level when Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given fumbled a Mauro Camoranesi header at his near post from an Andrea Pirlo corner. The Italians, for whom a draw was sufficient, quite predictably shut up shop and held on to the ball without really testing Shay Given’s goal. The second half was to begin with Given picking the ball out of his own net again; fortunately for the Irish, however, Iaquinta’s header was ruled offside.

BY BRIAN QUINN

The second half was mostly without incident with the better chances falling to the Republic. Stephen Hunt replaced Aiden McGeady on 78 minutes and immediately began to worry the Italian back four. On 87 minutes he seemed to have broken free of the visitor’s defense only to be brought down on the edge of the area and winning his side a free kick. Hunt delivered into the box and the ball made its way into the back of the net via Sean St. Ledger’s head.

The reaction inside Croke Park was emphatic, with Stewarts failing to control the crowd in parts of the stadium. Victory was on the horizon; at least it seemed that way. Demonstrating the class of World Champions, the Italian’s were back on level terms through Gilardino’s unceremoniously equalizer in the 90th minute. Unbridled joy inside the arena became deathly silence, and to the unlucky Irish watching the final whistle did not signal a point earned, but two points dropped. The result means Ireland are guaranteed a play-off position for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and having come so close to victory against the World Champions, the Republic will surely fancy their chances against any team in their path.