The referee blows for full time and Italy wins 2-0!
90' +3
The delivery from the free kick is caught by Buffon. Italy win a corner on the counter attack.
90' +2
Duff wins a free kick near the flag to the left of the Italian goal.
90'
M. Balotelli has scored a goal for Italy! Assist by A. Diamanti.
BALOTELLI SCORES! Balotelli volleys with his back facing the Irish goal andscores past defender O'Shea and keeper Given! Italy lead 2-0!
89'
K. Andrews gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
Andrews receives a second yellow and is ejected.
88'
UPDATE: Spain lead 1-0. If results stand Italy and Spain would advance, and Spain would win Group C.
87'
Andrea Pirlo's effort against Croatia was the first goal direct from a free-kick at the UEFA European Championship since Marek Heinz versus Germany at UEFA EURO 2004. It is also the only goal from a direct free kick at EURO 2012.
86'
S. Cox enters the game and replaces R. Keane.
85'
The shot from the free kick is blocked by the Irish wall. Bonucci rockets a shot over the Irish goal.
84'
S. St. Ledger gets yellow.
St Ledger receives a yellow for arguing with the official.
Minute
Description
83'
Balotelli wins a free kick just outside the top of the Irish area.
82'
Italy has a number of players with a booking in this tournament. Christian Maggio, Giorgio Chiellini, Mario Balotelli, Leonardo Bonucci, Thiago Motta and Riccardo Montolivo are all within a booking of a suspension should Italy qualify for the quarter finals.
80'
Keane is flagged for off side as the Irish pour on the pressure.
79'
Andrews drives a low shot! BUFFON SAVES! The Italian defense clears the rebound from the Buffon save.
77'
Walters wins a free kick at the top of the area. Dangerous area for a free kick!
76'
J. Walters enters the game and replaces K. Doyle.
Ireland have not had a great finals tournament. The 3-1 defeat by Croatia was the first time Ireland had conceded three goals in a game at a major tournament. Next time out, against Spain, they conceded four. They look much better in this game, giving the Italians a real game!
75'
M. Balotelli enters the game and replaces A. Di Natale.
Dunne and Long compete with Buffon for a header! Buffon wins a free kick for Italy inside their own penalty area.
74'
Corner awarded to Ireland.
73'
G. Buffon gets yellow.
Buffon is given the yellow for words he had with the referee.
72'
The delivery into the box from the free kick is headed clear by the Italians. Another free kick to Ireland 30 yards out .
71'
D. De Rossi gets yellow.
De Rossi is given the yellow for a foul on Doyle as Doyle was breaking on the counter attack for Ireland.
70'
Ireland are competing in a UEFA European Championship final tournament for the first time since making their debut in the 1988 event. Italy have not missed a finals – World Cup or EURO – since EURO '92.
69'
Pirlo's attempt from the free kick goes over the Irish goal.
68'
Diamanti wins a free kick at the top of the area. Similar position to that from which Pirlo scored against Croatia in this tournament.
67'
Duff delivers an in swinging corner that is cleared by Italy. Dunne is flagged for off sides following the clearance.
65'
S. Long enters the game and replaces A. McGeady.
Duff delivers the corner and Italy clears.
64'
Andres takes a shot that is blocked by a sliding challenge from Di Natale and Ireland awarded a corner.
63'
A. Diamanti enters the game and replaces A. Cassano.
UPDATE: Spain and Croatia still tied at 0. Should results hold, Italy and Spain would advance and Italy would be Group C winners.
62'
Pirlo delivers a cross from the free kick that Di Natale attempts to head and the ball is out for a goal kick.
61'
O'Shea is called for a foul on Balzaretti near the corner flag to the left of the Irish goal.
60'
Andrews drives a shot from 25 yards that Buffon saves.
58'
Marchisio volleys from 20 yards out and the shot is wide left of the Irish goal.
57'
L. Bonucci enters the game and replaces G. Chiellini.
Chiellini is unable to continue the match and Bonucci comes in to replace the defender.
56'
Play stops as Chiellini is down injured.
54'
Di Natale collects a through ball from De Rossi to the left of the Irish goal. Di Natale shoots! Given saves and the defense clears the rebound!
53'
McGeady crosses in to the back post. Keane heads the delivery! The Italian defense blocks the header for a corner to Ireland. The out-swinging corner finds Dunne! Dunne heads the cross! Dunne's header is wide of the Italian goal.
51'
De Rossi shoots! De Rossi's shot from the top of the area curls over the Irish goal!
49'
Cassano shoots! Dunne blocks the low shot from Cassano!
48'
Pirlo delivers the corner for Italy and the Irish defense clears.
47'
Balzaretti plays in a low cross to Di Natale. St Ledger again stops a shot attempt from Di Natale!
46'
Ireland kick off and the second half is underway! The Italians must hold on to their lead if they want to advance to the quarter finals.
45' +1
The referee blows for half time and Italy lead 1-0 by Cassano's goal in the 35th minute.
44'
Pirlo takes an in-swinging corner to the front post! Ireland's defense heads the ball clear from the front post.
43'
De Rossi takes a shot from the top corner of the penalty area. McGeady blocks De Rossi's shot!
41'
Italy are looking to reverse their recent fortunes at finals tournaments. Italy are now six games without a win in major final tournaments, the worst run in their history.
39'
J. O'Shea gets yellow.
O'Shea is given a yellow for an arm to the face of Balzaretti. Di Natale receives a long delivery to the back post. Di Natale volleys the ball back across the face of goal! Ireland's defense clears.
38'
Pirlo shoots! Pirlo's shot is blocked by the Irish wall!
37'
K. Andrews gets yellow.
Andrews is penalized and given a yellow card for his tackle on Pirlo, who will take the kick from 40 yards out.
36'
Should results hold, Italy and Spain would advance.
35'
A. Cassano has scored a goal for Italy! Assist by A. Pirlo.
Pirlo takes the corner to the front post. Cassano with a glancing header! CASSANO SCORES! Given gets a touch but Cassono's header goes over the keeper and Italy lead!
34'
Di Natale beats Given to a through ball! Di Natale shoots from a tight angle! St Ledger clears off the line!
33'
Abate crosses in from the right flank. Cassano with a one timer! Cassano's shot is blocked and the Irish defense holds strong.
32'
UPDATE: Spain and Croatia are tied at 0. As it stands, Croatia and Spain would advance.
31'
Italy's record in 11 games against Ireland reads 7 wins 2 draws and 2losses. In six competitive fixtures Italy have earned 3 wins 2 draws and 1 loss. The teams have twice met in final tournaments, winning one game apiece.
30'
Balzaretti delivers a cross and Di Natale shoots! St Ledger with a vital block in front of his own goal!
28'
F. Balzaretti gets yellow.
Di Natale shoots from the middle of the area! The shot is blocked! Balzaretti is given a yellow as he grabbed McGeady who was threatening to go on the counter attack.
27'
Duff swings in the delivery and St Ledger is called for a foul on Chiellini as he attempted to head the delivery from Duff.
26'
Duff is fouled 10 yards outside the area to the left of the Italian goal. Dangerous area for a free kick.
25'
Doyle cuts his cross back accross the box from the left flank! The cross is cut out by Italy and cleared.
24'
Ireland win a corner on the counter attack. Duff delivers the corner short before cross in towards St Ledger. St Ledger just couldn't climb high enough to make the header and Italy win a goal kick.
23'
Italy have enjoyed more of the possession at 56%. Yet Ireland look dangerous on the counter attack.
22'
McGeady delivers a dangerous cross and Doyle nearly connects at the back post!
21'
Pirlo attempts a long delivery to the back post of the Irish goal, but no Italian could connect and the ball goea out for a goal kick.
19'
Dunne heads the ball at the back post off a delivery from a free kick. Dunne is called for a foul on the play, and Italy are awarded a free kick inside their own penalty area.
18'
Balzaretti rockets a ball over the Irish goal for a goal kick!
17'
Cassano receives a long ball and slips before the Irish clear for a corner.
16'
Today marks the 18th anniversary of Ray Houghton’s goal that gave Ireland the 1-0 victory over Italy in the opening game of World Cup 1994. Andrews, the Irish midfielder, was in the stands that day.
15'
Ireland are on the counter, and play is stopped as Pirlo was shaken up on the play.
13'
Given collects a long ball into the box as the Italians are beginning to apply more pressure to the Irish defense.
11'
Cassano whips in a cross that is headed clear for an Italian corner. Italy's first corner is cleared for a second. Ireland clear the second Italian corner in a row.
10'
Since Giovanni Trapattoni took over in the Irish side in 2008, Ireland have remained unbeaten in three games against Italy, starting with two qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup finals in which they drew with the Italians.
9'
Dunne blocks a cross for an Italian corner. Italy works the corner short and Pirlo delivers a cross. Ireland head the cross clear.
7'
Pirlo swings in a corner and Barzagli heads the ball into Motta in the penalty area. Thiago Motta slips at the vital moment and Ireland clears!
6'
Doyle breaks down the field dangerously until Barzagli marshals the striker out for a goal kick to the Italians.
5'
Ireland have started this game on the front foot. The Irish applying pressure to the Italian defense right from the start.
4'
Chiellini beats Duff for the header off the free kick, and the Italians clear.
3'
Balzaretti concedes a free kick to the Irish on the left flank.
2'
Ireland is looking to continue their recent success against the Italians. Italy have not beaten Ireland in the teams’ last three competitive meetings, and lost 2-0 in their most recent friendly encounter, in Liege on 7 June 2011.
1'
Italy kick off and this match is underway! Straight away from the kick off the Italian defense gives possession to Doyle who has an early chance before Buffon collects.
Welcome to Municipal Stadium Poznan in Poznan, Poland. Italy and Ireland face off in their last game in group C play. Italy need to win tonight and hope that Spain and Croatia do not play to a draw of 2-2 or more. Ireland have no chance to advance, but will be looking to end their tournament with a win and spoil Italy’s hopes of advancing. Your official for tonight’s proceedings is Cüneyt Çakır of Turkey.
Your line-ups for this match are as follows: For Italy; Buffon(GK) (C), Chiellini, Balzaretti, Abate, Barzagli - Thiago Motta, Marchisio, De Rossi, Pirlo – Cassano, Di Natale. For Ireland; Given(GK), St Ledger, Ward, O'Shea, Dunne – Whelan, McGeady, Andrews, Duff(C) – Doyle, Keane.
Despite their team's early exit from this tournament, the Irish fans are out in force for this match. As the teams warm up, "You'll never beat the Irish," can be heard around the stadium. Ireland are hoping to give their fans a great match, and Italy are looking for an important win.
The teams are in the tunnel getting ready to emerge and take the field for the final group match. The players look focused and prepared for this exciting match.
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