Italy have qualified for the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 as Group C runners-up thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Republic of Ireland on Monday.
Cesare Prandelli’s men were on top for the majority of the first half, and a header from Antonio Cassano 10 minutes before half-time gave the Azzurri a lead to hold on to for a long period of time.
Mario Balotelli then stepped up to seal the victory moments before the final whistle with a typically dramatic finish from just outside the six-yard box.
