Ireland suffer a third defeat

The AC Milan striker headed home from Andrea Pirlo’s 35th-minute corner before substitute Balotelli added a second at the death to finally kill off Ireland’s brave resistance.

Spain’s 1-0 win over Croatia in Gdansk meant the reigning champions topped Group C, but Italy went through in second place.

On a night when only victory would do for Cesare Prandelli’s men, they came up with the goods against an Ireland side whose exit from the competition was confirmed last week.

But while Italy dominated for long periods, they were unable to find a way past the green shirts for a second time to leave the Republic, led by winger Damien Duff on his 100th appearance for his country, in with a chance until Balotelli eventually calmed the nerves.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side, who had midfielder Keith Andrews sent off late on, staged a late blitz on the Italian goal which came up only just short, and although they restored some of their battered pride, they will return to Dublin having failed to collect a point.

Ireland safely negotiated the opening five minutes which had previously proved so problematical in the tournament, but as the deep-sitting Pirlo started to pull the strings, found themselves defending for dear life.

But where that had been beyond them in their opening two games, this time they found the resilience and strength which had brought them to the finals.

But with 10 minutes of the half remaining, Italy started to turn the screw.

Given conceded a corner by spilling Cassano’s snapshot, Prandelli’s men edged ahead. Pirlo’s near-post delivery was met with a glancing header by Cassano and although Given got a hand to it, he could not keep the ball out of the net.

It would have been 2-0 within three minutes of the restart had Sean St Ledger not once again denied Di Natale with a vital block, and Given had to get down well to keep out Cassano’s side-footed effort seconds later with Italy looking to kill the game off.

There was a flicker of hope for the Republic when Robbie Keane forced Ignazio Abate to concede a corner which Dunne headed wide.

Sensing that their time had come, the Republic launched a sustained assault on the Italian goal, prompting Prandelli to introduce wild card Balotelli with 15 minutes left.

But Buffon had to be at his best to keep out Andrews’ drilled 79th-minute shot from Duff’s backheeled free-kick, with Ireland throwing everything they had at Italy.

However, it all turned sour at the death as Andrews, who had earlier been booked for a foul, received a second yellow card for dissent seconds before Balotelli hooked home a Pirlo corner to secure the win.

􀁧 Substitute Jesus Navas scored a late goal to send Spain through to the quarter- finals as Group C winners but only after a mighty scare against Slaven Bilic’s unfortunate Croatia.

Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic both had earlier chances to break the deadlock and Croatia kept pushing deep into injurytime as they sought the equaliser that could still have sent them through.

Resolute in defence and surging down the flanks, Croatia kept the Spaniards at bay for long periods and Vicente Del Bosque’s team will be extremely relieved to have come out on top of their group.

Cesc Fabregas was a major influence and he made the crucial move in the 87th minute when he lobbed Pletikosa to send Andreas Iniesta clear, and he squared for Navas to tap home.