Euro 2012: Italy vs Ireland

June 21, 2012 | 106 views

| in Sports

Ireland was already sure they were not going to progress to the quarter finals, but Italy was still in with a shout. As usual the Irish played their hearts out and their fans sang until their voices could sing no more, but the Italians were simply too good. A header from Cassano and a brilliant volley by Balotelli secured a 2-0 win for Italy and they progress to the quarter finals. [36 photos total]

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Italian supporters smile as they cheer before the Euro 2012 soccer match between Italy and Ireland in Poznan (KACPER PEMPEL/REUTERS) #

An Irish supporter smiles before the Euro 2012 soccer match between Italy and Ireland in Poznan (KACPER PEMPEL/REUTERS) #

Old market with the soccer fans is reflected in the sunglasses of an Irish soccer supporter before the Euro 2012 soccer match between Italy and Ireland in Poznan (KACPER PEMPEL/REUTERS) #

Italy's soccer fan cheers before the Group C Euro 2012 soccer match between Italy and Ireland at the city stadium in Poznan (SERGIO PEREZ/REUTERS) #

A young Irish soccer fan cheers before the Group C Euro 2012 soccer match between Italy and Ireland at the city stadium in Poznan (DOMINIC EBENBICHLER/REUTERS) #

An Italy's fan cheers before their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Ireland at the Ctiy stadium in Poznan (SERGIO PEREZ/REUTERS) #

Italy's players pose for a team photo before the start of the Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Ireland at the city stadium in Poznan (BARTOSZ JANKOWSKI/REUTERS) #

Ireland's players pose for a team photo before their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Italy at the city stadium in Poznan (DOMINIC EBENBICHLER/REUTERS) #

Ireland's players get together before the start of the Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Italy at the city stadium in Poznan (PETR JOSEK/REUTERS) #

Ireland's Doyle controls the ball next to Italy's Barzagli, Pirlo and Marchisio during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at City stadium in Poznan (BARTOSZ JANKOWSKI/REUTERS) #

Italy's Cassano tries to pass the ball against Ireland's St Ledger during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match in Poznan (PETR JOSEK/REUTERS) #

Ireland's Doyle challenges Italy's Pirlo during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at the City stadium in Poznan (TONY GENTILE/REUTERS) #

Ireland's Keane is challenged by Italy's Barzagli during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at City stadium in Poznan (SERGIO PEREZ/REUTERS) #

Italy's Abate and goalkeeper Buffon watch as their team mate Barzagli fights for ball with Ireland's Doyle during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at City stadium in Poznan (BARTOSZ JANKOWSKI/REUTERS) #

Irish supporters turn their back to to the match as they cheer during the Group C Euro 2012 soccer match between Italy and Ireland at the city stadium in Poznan (DOMINIC EBENBICHLER/REUTERS) #

Italy's goalkeeper Buffon reacts during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Ireland at City stadium in Poznan (SERGIO PEREZ/REUTERS) #

Italy's Cassano scores a goal against Ireland during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at the City stadium in Poznan (BARTOSZ JANKOWSKI/REUTERS) #

Ireland's players react after Italy's first goal during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match in Poznan (DOMINIC EBENBICHLER/REUTERS) #

Italy's Cassano celebrates his goal against Ireland during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match in Poznan (PETR JOSEK/REUTERS) #

Italy's players celebrate a goal against Ireland during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at the City stadium in Poznan (BARTOSZ JANKOWSKI/REUTERS) #

Italy's Di Natale challenges Ireland's goalkeeper Given during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at the City stadium in Poznan (BARTOSZ JANKOWSKI/REUTERS) #

Ireland's Long and Dunne challenge Italy's goalkeeper Buffon during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at the City stadium in Poznan (BARTOSZ JANKOWSKI/REUTERS) #

Match referee Cakir from Turkey shows a yelow card to Italy's De Rossi as Ireland's Whelan and Doyle and Italy's Diamanti react during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match in Poznan (DOMINIC EBENBICHLER/REUTERS) #

Ireland's Whelan heads the ball next to Italy's De Rossi during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match in Poznan (DOMINIC EBENBICHLER/REUTERS) #

Italy's goalkeeper Buffon makes a save during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Ireland at the City stadium in Poznan (TONY GENTILE/REUTERS) #

Italy's Balotelli challenges Ireland's St Ledger, Andrews and Dunne during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at the City stadium in Poznan (TONY GENTILE/REUTERS) #

Italy's Balotelli scores a goal past Ireland's O'Shea during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at the City stadium in Poznan (BARTOSZ JANKOWSKI/REUTERS) #

Italy's Balotelli scores his team's second goal against Ireland during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match in Poznan (TONY GENTILE/REUTERS) #

Italy's Balotelli scores goal past Ireland's goalkeeper Given during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at City stadium in Poznan (BARTOSZ JANKOWSKI/REUTERS) #

Ireland's Ward and goalkeeper Given reacts as Italy's Balotelli scores his team's second goal during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match in Poznan (TONY GENTILE/REUTERS) #

Italy's Balotelli with team mates Motta, Bonucci and Balzaretti celebrates his goal during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Ireland during their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at City stadium in Poznan (SERGIO PEREZ/REUTERS) #

Ireland's Long throws his shoes at the end their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Italy in Poznan (PETR JOSEK/REUTERS) #

Italy's Balotelli and Ireland's goalkeeper Given exchange with jerseys after their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at City stadium in Poznan (SERGIO PEREZ/REUTERS) #

Italy's goalkeeper Buffon reacts after their victory at Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Ireland at City stadium in Poznan (SERGIO PEREZ/REUTERS) #

Italy's goalkeeper Buffon and Cassano celebrate their victory over Ireland after their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match at the City stadium in Poznan (TONY GENTILE/REUTERS) #