Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Italy 2 Ireland 0: Irish left pointless
MARIO Balotelli’s thunderous, acrobatic volley sent Ireland packing last night as the Republic’s dismal Euro 2012 campaign ended without a point and a red card for West Brom’s Keith Andrews.
Manchester City’s volatile star Balotelli fired home Italy’s second in the last minute just moments after Andrews had been dismissed for hissecond bookable offence.
Antonio Cassano’s opener had put the Italians in charge as they booked a place in the quarter-finals, finishing second in the group to Spain.
Italy's Thiago Motta, top, jumps over Ireland's Glenn Whelan and Jon Walters
Ireland were playing for pride but Italy’s class eventually took its toll of their opponents’ spirit.
Skipper Robbie Keane said: “We played well without really creating too many chances. We are all disappointed by the results, but we have been beaten by better teams.”
Mario Balotelli fired home Italy’s second in the last minute
Federico Balzaretti, Andrea Pirlo and Alessandro Diamanti talk with referee Cuneyt Cakir