Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Euro 2012 Group C encounter between Italy and Republic of Ireland in Poznan.
Italy need to secure all three points to have a chance of making it through the group stages following successive 1-1 draws against Spain and Croatia - leaving the Italians third in Group C.
Victory for Cesare Prandelli's side would see them progress, providing that Spain and Croatia does not end in a 2-2 draw or higher.
Meanwhile, Ireland have already been eliminated from the competition following back-to-back defeats against Croatia and Spain.
> Full team news for the match
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21.40Spain and Italy advance from Group C.
21.40Spain beat Croatia to top Group C.
21.39So there we have it. Italy book their spot in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 following a 2-0 win over Republic of Ireland. It was Antonio Cassano who opened the scoring in the first period, before Mario Balotelli added a classy second late on. Ireland showed wonderful heart to battle throughout the night, but it simply was not enough.
FULL-TIMEItaly 2-0 Ireland
90 minThat seems to be the last action of the night. Italy are almost there.
90 minWonderful goal from Balotelli as he releases a beautiful volley into the corner. Brilliant.
90 minGOAL! Italy 2-0 Ireland (Balotelli)
89 minRed card! Andrews has been sent off for Ireland for two yellow cards.
88 minSpain have taken the lead against Croatia. That puts them top of the group.
88 minWe have just seen the replay of the free-kick incident and O'Shea appeared to handle in the area. It should have been a penalty for Italy, but they are nearly there.
86 minChange for Ireland as Keane is replaced by Simon Cox.
85 minHowever, Diamanti's effort is struck straight into the wall before Bonucci fires high and wide.
85 minFree-kick for Italy on the edge of the Italian box as Balotelli dances past two defenders.
83 minWonderful heart from Ireland as they continue to flood forward. Such character.
81 minCroatia and Spain still remain tied at 0-0. Italy top the group as it stands.
79 minAndrews! So nearly for Ireland as Andrews strikes from distance. However, Buffon beats the ball away. It's all Ireland here.
78 minAnother free-kick for Ireland just outside the Italian box as Diamanti fells Walters.
76 minItaly are just beginning to look a bit nervous here. They simply cannot keep the ball. Meanwhile, another change for Ireland as Doyle is replaced by Jonathan Walters.
75 minMeanwhile, change for Italy as Di Natale is replaced by Mario Balotelli.
74 minWard floods forward for Ireland and gains a corner. Can they equalise?
72 minIreland on the attack as Duff gains a free-kick in the Italy half. They are suddenly having a go.
70 minNot a great deal happening at the moment to be brutally honest. Ireland have defended well in the second period.
68 min... however, Pirlo curls it over the bar.
68 minClumsy challenge from O'Shea as he brings down Diamanti. Free-kick Italy just outside the box...
68 minJust a reminder, as it stands: Italy and Spain will qualify from Group C.
66 minNo real clear-cut chances in the past 10 or so minutes. However, Italy remain in control.
64 minIt's bright play from Andrews as he advances on goal and wins a corner for Ireland. Meanwhile, McGeady has been replaced by Shane Long.
62 minBalzaretti continues to win the battle down the right side of the Italy defence. He has been fantastic today. Meanwhile, change for Italy as Cassano is replaced by Alessandro Diamanti.
60 minHalf-chance for Ireland as Andrews strikes from distance. However, it was always straight at Buffon.
58 minItaly continue to dominate possession as the hour mark nears. However, just one goal would change everything.
57 minChange for Italy as Chiellini is replaced by Leonardo Bonucci.
55 minAnother chance for Italy as Di Natale advances into the box. However, Given pushes the ball to safety. Ireland cannot get out here.
54 minBetter from Ireland as McGeady searches out Keane in the box. However, Abate knocks it behind for a corner.
52 minChances continue to fall for Italy and this time it's De Rossi with the chance, but he fires over the bar. Ireland are on the ropes here.
50 minAnother chance for Italy and it's brilliant feet from Balzaretti as he feeds Cassano in the box. However, Dunne is on hand to make yet another block.
48 minChance! So nearly number two for Italy as De Rossi finds Di Natale in the box. However, Dunne makes the block.
46 minBright start from Ireland as McGeady advances down the left. However, again it's really smart defending from Abate.
46 minHere we go then. Ireland get us underway in the second period.
20.33So there we have it. Antonio Cassano's header after 35 minutes has given Italy a 1-0 first-half lead over the Republic of Ireland. It was the Irish who started the better, but they simply could not make use of their early pressure. Italy improved as the half advanced, and as it stands, they will go through as winners of Group C.
HALF-TIMEItaly 1-0 Ireland
45 minThis time it's an Irish header as the danger is cleared. Not long to go in the opening half.
44 minHowever, it's solid defending from O'Shea as it drifts behind for another corner.
43 minIt's really good defending from Abate as he denies Duff to set up another Italian attack.
42 minKeane looks ever so isolated in the Ireland attack. The goal has also silenced the Irish fans.
40 minItaly are well in control of this one with five minutes of the half to play.
38 minDanger for Ireland as Pirlo steps over a free-kick outside the box. However, he smashes it straight into the wall.
36 minAs it stands, Italy would top Group C with Spain and Croatia still 0-0.
35 minItaly lead and it's that man Cassano as he meets a corner at the near-post to flick home from close range.
35 minGOAL! Italy 1-0 Ireland (Cassano)
35 minSt Ledger clears off the line! Pressure builds as Di Natale rounds Shay Given. However, the Irish defender clears the danger before Cassano strikes from distance.
35 minIreland are just starting to get forced back in this match. They have dropped ever so deep.
33 minA word from Republic of Ireland midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "I've been impressed with Aiden McGeady. He carried the ball 30, 40, 50 yards there to the heart of the Italian defence, and you have to say Italy do look a little bit worried in this good spell for the Irish," he told the BBC.
31 minBig penalty shout for Italy as Di Natale spins and shoots in the box - and in truth it might have clipped St Ledger's arm.
31 minIreland fans doing the 'Poznan' at the moment. They are certainly enjoying themselves here!
29 minChance for Italy as Cassano finds Di Natale in the box. However, Dunne is on hand to make an important block.
28 minHowever, Sean St Ledger is punished for a foul on Cassano.
27 minNo real invention from Italy in this match thus far. Anxious moments as Ireland gain a free-kick in an advanced area.
25 minIreland remain a huge threat on the counter but it's wasteful from McGeady as he passes up a five-on-three situation.
23 minStill 0-0 in tonight's other Group C match between Croatia and Spain. As it stands, those two would progress.
23 minChance! So nearly for Ireland as Aiden McGeady whips a dangerous cross into the box. However, Doyle just cannot make contact.
21 minPossession football from Italy as we reach the mid-point of the opening half. Remember, they need to win.
19 minChance for Ireland as Duff serves out Richard Dunne in the area. However, the Aston Villa man is punished for a foul.
18 minHorror show from Barzagli as the Italian fires high and wide from outside the box.
17 minA few players are just finding the pitch a bit awkward in the early stages - slipping and sliding all over the place.
17 minCounter-attack from Ireland as Glen Whelan searches out Robbie Keane. However, play has been brought back for a foul on Pirlo.
15 minPirlo over-hits a pass. Mark that one down, you won't see many!
13 minIt's all Italy after a bright start from Ireland. But still we remain 0-0. As does Spain and Croatia.
12 minIt's lovely feet from Cassano as he picks out a wonderful cross, but it's John O'Shea who smartly heads behind.
11 minItaly just beginning to gain control of this match after a frantic opening.
9 minDecent looking cross from Pirlo as he searches out Antonio Cassano in the box. However, it's a thumping header clear from Andrews.
7 minChance! So nearly for Italy as Barzagli heads back across goal. However, Thiago Motta just cannot make contact.
6 minFirst real threat from Italy as Abate finds Pirlo on the edge of the Ireland box. However, it's bright defending from Keith Andrews as he clears the danger. All action start here!
5 minIt's been all Ireland thus far. Why didn't they play like this in their first two games?
3 minAnother attack from Ireland as Duff whips a dangerous cross into the box. However, Daniele De Rossi clears the danger.
2 minIt's been a bright start from Ireland thus far and it might have fallen for Robbie Keane from a long ball. However, Buffon collects once more.
1 minImmediate chance for Ireland as Andrea Pirlo hands it straight to Kevin Doyle. However, Gianluigi Buffon is allowed to collect the danger.
19.44Handshakes over. Pictures taken. Flags exchanged. It's time.
19.43... now Italy.
19.41Time for the national anthems. Ireland first...
19.39Here we go then. A night for Italy to try and get through to the final eight. Meanwhile, the Ireland fans continue to sing their heart out.
19.37Both sets of players wait in the tunnel. A lot of tension in there.
19.35Could there be a final dramatic twist in Group C? Do not bet against it. I'm going for 3-1 Italy. Which of course means that it will be 4-1 to Ireland.
19.33We are just over 10 minutes from kickoff as both sets of players warm up on the pitch.
19.31Where do Ireland go from here? Will we see a host of their experienced players retire following the Euros? So many questions remain unanswered!
19.29No Balotelli for Italy this evening. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? One thing is for certain, Di Natale deserves his chance.
19.27So what do we think about tonight then? In a way, Ireland are free to express themselves. However, you would have to favour Italy.
19.24Here's former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy: "Ireland got to the tournament on a solid base and defensive unit. But then they've conceded early goals in both matches and their gameplan has gone to pot straight away. Having to chase the game against Croatia and Spain suits those teams and they simply have been better than us. But Ireland are playing for pride and I think they can shock Italy tonight."
19.22A word from former Republic of Ireland defender Kenny Cunningham: "This is an ideal opportunity for Trapattoni and Ireland, now that the tournament's over. What a great opportunity in a competitive international game to blood a few of these young players and see exactly how good they are. It's a chance to freshen up the team and throw these players in, but he hasn't done it. A lot of people feel this is an opportunity missed and perhaps a sign of things to come, that the manager's going to remain loyal to his system," he told the BBC.
19.20However, Ireland do have form against the Italians. They are unbeaten in their last three against them under Trapattoni's management - winning the last encounter 2-0.
19.18Meanwhile, it has largely been a tournament to forget for Ireland. Giovanni Trapottoni's men were unbeaten in 14 games as they entered the Euros. However, they have been comprehensively beaten by Croatia and Spain thus far.
19.16However, Italy do not seem to enjoy playing on Polish soil. They have drawn all five games, including two at Euro 2012.
19.14However, Prandelli told reporters: "We must believe right to the end and not cultivate the policy of suspicion. We need to win the game (against Ireland) and deserve to progress to the next round. I think Spain will beat Croatia, for the last 10 years they've had a certain image and I don't think they're going to start speculating now. We must not think about what happened eight years ago, we must not look for excuses. Spain have always produced a spectacle and played well, everyone wants to emulate them, why would they think about a biscuit now?"
19.12The build-up to this match has been dogged by suggestions of a conspiracy between Croatia and Spain. Italy are reportedly under the impression that the two teams could conjure up a 2-2 draw in order to see the Italians eliminated.
19.10Prandelli's side are also undefeated in 12 competitive matches, and have lost just twice in their last 11 games against the Irish.
19.08Italy have gone six games without a win at a major competition since their victory in the group stage of 2008 - making it their longest ever winless streak. However, the omens do look good this evening. They have won their final group game at the last three European Championships.
19.06Tonight's encounter is the third meeting between the two countries at a major tournament. However, it is their first at a European Championship. The Italians secured a 1-0 win in the 1990 World Cup. Meanwhile, Ireland won by the same scoreline four years later.
19.04As mentioned, if Spain and Croatia finishes 2-2 (or a higher score draw), Italy will be eliminated regardless of how many goals they score. This is because head-to-head records come into play when two or more countries finish level on points. If the Spain vs. Croatia game is a 1-1 draw, then Italy need to better or equal Croatia's 3-1 win over Ireland.
19.02For Ireland, Shay Given keeps his place in goal for what could be his last international appearance. Meanwhile, Kevin Doyle comes back into the team to partner Robbie Keane in attack. Damien Duff will win his 100th cap this evening, and he has also been handed the captaincy for such an occasion.
19.02Italy make four changes from their line-up with Andrea Barzagli, Ignazio Abate and Federico Balzaretti coming into the side in addition to Antonio Di Natale. Leonardo Bonucci, Christian Maggio, Emanuele Giaccherini and Mario Balotelli are the players who make way.
19.00Team News: Ireland: Given; O?Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Ward; Duff, Andrews, Whelan, McGeady; Keane; Doyle
19.00Team News: Italy: Buffon; Chiellini, Balzaretti, Abate, Barzagli; Motta, Marchisio, De Rossi, Pirlo; Cassano, Di Natale
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
