Italy have advanced to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 with a 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in Poznan tonight.
Antonio Cassano's 36th-minute header secured the Azzuri's last-eight berth and compounded a miserable tournament for the Irish, who finish pointless at the bottom of Group C.
Italy nearly broke the deadlock earlier in proceedings but Antonio Di Natalie's shot was blocked well by Shaun St Ledger.
Cassano succeeded where his strike partner failed when he headed in past Shay Given from an Andrea Pirlo corner.
Even the best efforts of stand-in captain Damien Duff on the line couldn't prevent the ball from crossing.
Keith Andrews twice tested Gianluigi Buffon as Ireland searched for an equaliser, but they remained a goal down as the entered the final 10 minutes.
Andrews was sent off for a second booking to make Ireland's task even harder and Mario Balotelli secured Italy's last-eight berth with an acrobatic second just minutes from time.
Italy progress in second place, with defending champions Spain topping Group C.
Joe Fish
