Italy and Republic of Ireland will play out the final match of the groups stage for both sides at Euro 2016. Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting from 5am AEST.
Italy are in the position of already have qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament, so this match isn’t going to mean a whole lot to them – even a loss here would still see them likely finish at the top of the group.
The only situation in which that wouldn’t be the case is if Italy lose by multiple goals, or Belgium win by multiple goals. Even then they would still finish second in the pool and be automatically into the knockout stages.
In that sense it’s a match they will play purely for the pride of going 3-0 in the groups stage, but it’s also likely that they’ll look to take it easy and rest a few players to freshen them up for when the knockout stage arrives.
Republic of Ireland however have it all to play for. Although their odds of getting to the knockout stage are really quite low, it’s still mathematically possible with a good enough performance today and other results going their way.
A win in this match would see them go up to four competition points, and that would see them jump into second in the group on the condition that the Sweden vs Belgium match, played concurrently with this one, ends in a draw.
If that match ends in a win to either team, Republic of Ireland are unlikely to finish second in the group unless they win by several goals. However, they would likely still have a good enough record to qualify from third with a win today.
Prediction
Italy will likely take it easy, but should still have the talent to hold this one to a draw.
Draw 1-1
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting from 5am AEST.
Midfielder
Guest
TWAS a brilliant vid even if a tad dated.. tis worth watching...
albatross
Roar Pro
Joxer's back https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4xl_FgEwrg
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined us on The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Italy, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland all progress to the Round of 16. What a moment.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Brilliant and momentous result! The Irish are crying with delight in the stands.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Italy 0 - 1 Ireland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+3' - Ireland win a free kick in their own half and really take their time taking it. They pump the ball forward and the referee blows for full time. Or at least we thought he did. It's a free kick for Ireland. They take it and then the referee blows for full time. IRELAND PROGRESS TO THE KNOCKOUT STAGES! ITALY 0 - 1 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+2' - Italy are looking to work the ball into the box, a desperate Irish defence doing all they can to clear the ball where ever they can. Anywhere will do. ITALY 0 - 1 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Ireland now looking to slow the game down. They are two minutes away from achieving something amazing. A win over Italy and for the first time in their history, a place in the knockout stages of the Euro competition. ITALY 0 - 1 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90' - There will be three minutes of time added on. ITALY 0 - 1 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - Sweden have gone down to Belgium 1-nil, and you have to imagine the Swedish Euro campaign is over. ITALY 0 - 1 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - Shane Long comes off for Stephen Quinn in a change for Ireland, and they just moments away from a huge win. ITALY 0 - 1 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
85' - GOAL IRELAND! You have to imagine Hoolahan has redeemed himself, a perfect bad into the box finds Brady who makes no mistake heading the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net! ITALY 0 - 1 IRELAND
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Hahahahahahaha, dreamland for the Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
84' - WHAT A CHANCE! Hoolahan gets he ball in the box with space and his shot is right at the keeper! He needs to be scoring from there! ITALY 0 - 0 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
83' - McGeady wins the header in the box, but it's weak and right to the keeper. ITALY 0 - 0 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
82' - The Irish coach and the Irish fans are getting quite anxious, if they score the entire place, and probably the country, would explode. ITALY 0 - 0 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
81' - De Sciglio comes off for El Shaarawy in a change for Italy. Can he make a difference late? ITALY 0 - 0 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - A ball into Zaza is met well by the keeper, he was able to take charge when he needed to. ITALY 0 - 0 IRELAND
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - Italy look about ready to make their third change. ITALY 0 - 0 IRELAND