World Cup qualifier: Keane salvages draw in Italy

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Italy
Italy flag
1 - 1
Ireland flag
Ireland
Vincenzo Iaquinta 10
Robbie Keane 87


Robbie Keane leveled with only three minutes remaining to give Republic of Ireland a 1-1 draw with 10-man Italy at the San Nicola Stadium.

There was controversy almost immediately when Giampaolo Pazzini was shown a straight red card after just three minutes.

Pazzini, in his first senior start for the Azzurri, received his marching orders for elbowing John O'Shea while going up for a header, bloodying the defender's face.

But the hosts made a quick recovery and scored shortly afterwards when Fabio Grosso broke into the box and played in Vincenzo Iaquinta, who tapped the ball home from close range to score his second international goal.

Ireland, with a one-man advantage, piled on the pressure and Stephen Hunt created their best chance with a fierce drive from outside the area, forcing Gianluigi Buffon to tip his shot over the crossbar.

And they got their reward with only three minutes left when Caleb Folan’s pursuit of Shay Given’s long clearance caused problems in the area and the ball broke to Keane, who beat Buffon with an angled shot.


Lineups:

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Brighi, De Rossi, Pirlo (Palombo 46); Pepe (Dossena 55), Pazzini, Iaquinta

Ireland: Given; O'Shea, McShane, Dunne, Kilbane; Keogh (Folan 21), Whelan, Andrews (Gibson 55), Hunt; Doyle (Kelly 63), Keane


Italy v Rep of Ireland goal & highlights



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