Almost there as World Champions hold on in Dublin

Republic Of Ireland (2)
Whelan(8), St Ledger (87)
Italy (2)
Camoranesi (26),Gilardino(90)

Listen to Giovanni Trapattoni’s Post Match Press Conference
 

A frantic final three minutes has seen Italy win Group 8 with Ireland achieving the playoff with a game to play. It started brightly for the Irish and they were never overawed by the glamour and slick style of an Italian side which featured Andrea Pirlo as the puppetmaster pulling all the strings for the Azzuri.

A clever free kick from Liam Lawrence gave Ireland a shock early lead. The Stoke star slipped the ball inside from the left and Glenn Whelan buried it from 20 yards with the sweeteest shot since Razor all those years ago. It was Whelan’s 2nd goal in his 15th start. Moments later Lawrence’s free kick caused pandemonium in the Azzurri defence the swirling ball hanging in the air and then pinging around before the visitors hoofed it clear.

The Italians had a great chance in the 25th minute as Fabio Grosso the full back cracked a left footed volley which Given dealt with. Moments later it was all square as Andrea Pirlo’s perfectly weighted cross was headed downward by Mauro Camoranesi- Shay Given got down but couldn’t quite scoop it up and out and the Azzuri were on parity once more.

The two sides were level at halftime but the visitors almost went in front when Iaquinta netted in the first minute of the second half, but the giant striker was offside.

the Irish almost took the lead again just before the hour as Liam Lawrence’s corner was met by a bullet header from Richard Dunne but Buffon got down to save.

Given made another great save in the 70th minute getting down low at his left hand post to turn away a ripper from Gianluca Zambrotta.

The Irish stunned the World Champions in the 87th minute as Stephen Hunt was fouled just left of the penalty area. Hunt popped the free kick to the far post and Sean St Ledger dove in to head the ball into the net- Croke park exploded with joy- but just moments later as the euphoria died down as Iaquinta slipped the ball inside and Alberto Gilardino sent Shay Given the wrong way to score an equaliser which burst the bubble and left it all square and honour satisfied for both sides. The World Champions survived a shock and the Irish gained a moral victory. The Italians have qualified and Trappatoni has take the republic to the playoff spot and they are still unbeaten.

Bob "The Voice" McKenzie Twitter: @BobTheVoice About: