Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli secured the victory Italy needed against the Republic of Ireland to reach the last eight of Euro 2012 as runners up in Group C.
A tense first half in which the already eliminated Irish started brightly ended with them going behind to Cassano’s header in the 35th minute before Balotelli wrapped up the win at the death to ensure Cesare Prandelli’s men made it into the quarter finals behind Spain who finished top of the group after beating Croatia in Gdansk.
Maximum points was the requirement for Italy and while they eventually came up with the goods, a plucky Ireland side, who’s exit was confirmed last week, made them sweat. Giovani Trapattoni’s side ended the tournament pointless a but restored a sense of pride, despite Keith Andrews’ sending off, with a display that threatened to spoil the 2006 World Cup winners’ hopes of reaching the knock-out phase.
In fact they could have been ahead straight from kick-off as Kevin Doyle took advantage of a rare careless pass from Andrea Pirlo but was thwarted by defender Giorgio Chiellini who dispossessed him before he could muster a shot on goal. After conceding inside four minutes in every half of football they’ve played in the tournament the organisation and discipline that was absent during their first two fixtures made a welcome return as they constantly broke down their frustrated opponents attacks.
Richard Dunne and Sean St Ledger produced superb blocks to deny Antonio Di Natale from troubling Shay Given as he enjoyed a relatively trouble free first period. But with 10 minutes left before the break Italy cranked up the heat and Cassano went close to breaking the deadlock but after latching onto Di Natale’s pass and rounding Given he was denied by St Ledger on the line.
The Ireland goalkeeper wasn’t so lucky minutes later spilling a Cassano’s strike out for a corner that led to him scoring Italy’s opener. Pirlo whipped the ball into the near post which was met by a glancing header by the AC Milan striker crossing the line despite Given’s best efforts to keep the ball out.
It was a goal that relaxed the Italians and they should have doubled their advantage straight after the break but for St Ledger producing another block to keep out Di Natale before Given got down to repel Cassano’s effort seconds later. Daniele De Rossi then curled over in the 51st minute as Ireland opened up and Prandelli’s men looked to kill the game off.
On a rare forage forward Robbie Keane forced Ignazio Abate to concede a corner that Dunne headed over but normal service was resumed soon after as Given was on hand to foil Di Natale once again. Andrews then brought the first save out of Gianluigi Buffon on the hour trying his luck from distance. With time running out Ireland went all out attack in search of an equaliser whilst Prandelli sent on wild card striker Balotelli with quarter of an hour remaining.
Andrews then tested Buffon again from range before receiving his marching orders earning himself a second yellow card for dissent, before Balotelli wrapped up the win and Italy’s passage to the last eight brilliantly hooking Pirlo’s corner past Given.