Italy beat Irish to reach Euro quarter-finals

POZNAN, Poland (AFP) –

Italian forward Antonio Cassano (not seen) scores against Irish goalkeeper Shay Given during the Euro 2012 football championships match Italy vs Republic of Ireland at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan. Italy qualified for the Euro 2012 quarter-finals beating Ireland 2-0 in their final Group C match here on Monday.

Italy qualified for the Euro 2012 quarter-finals beating Ireland 2-0 in their final Group C match here on Monday.

The Italians – who trailed Spain and Croatia by two points going into the game with the Irish having already being eliminated after two defeats – took the lead in the 35th minute through a header by Antonio Cassano.

The Irish produced a more spirited challenge than their previous two games but ended the game with just 10 men as Keith Andrews was sent off and the Italians rubbed salt into the wound as Mario Balotelli volleyed in the second.

Italy progressed in second place after Spain beat Croatia 1-0.