Gilardino strike seals ticket for Italy

Alberto Gilardino scored a last-minute goal in reply to Sean St Ledger's own late effort as Italy confirmed their place at next year's FIFA World Cup with a 2-2 draw away against the Republic of Ireland, who can now begin planning for the play-offs.

Late drama
A win would have kept alive Irish hopes of topping Group 8 and the hosts flew out of the blocks in Dublin, going ahead after only eight minutes through a superb Glenn Whelan strike. The visitors responded positively, though, and Mauro Camoranesi's 26th-minute header earned them a deserved equaliser. That looked to be the end of the scoring until St Ledger and Gilardino swapped dramatic late goals.

High tempo
The Irish began at an impressive tempo, harrying Italy in possession and looking menacing in attack. Their positive start soon brought its reward as Liam Lawrence cut back a free-kick to Whelan on the edge of the area and the midfielder bent a fine effort into the top corner. Aiden McGeady then sent a shot just wide of Gianluigi Buffon's left-hand post as the hosts kept up the pressure. However, Italy promptly worked their way into the game and Camoranesi drew them level shortly before the half-hour, powering in a header from Andrea Pirlo's corner.

Undelivered threat
The Azzurri were enjoying the majority of possession and Giorgio Chiellini went close from another Pirlo corner ahead of the break, after which both sides struggled to carve out any clear opportunities. Italy frontman Vincenzo Iaquinta had a goal ruled out for offside and Robbie Keane went close at the other end, but there was no indication of the drama to come in the game's final minutes. St Ledger dived to head in Stephen Hunt's free-kick with three minutes remaining, yet with the home crowd still celebrating, Iaquinta played in Gilardino and the ACF Fiorentina forward levelled matters once again.