Group Elimination C: Monday, 18 June 2012 - Poznan - Municipal Stadium

Italian media is obsessed with fears Spain and Croatia will play out a 2-2 draw in the other Group C game and knock out the Azzurri even if they beat the Irish in Poznan. Such is 73-year-old Trapattoni's standing in the game, though, that no one is questioning his loyalties. Ireland have been eliminated after two heavy Group C defeats and Monday's swansong in the final group match could be the last major tournament appearance for the likes of 31-year-old Robbie Keane who will not want to bow out with a whimper.

Trapattoni, who managed Italy at Euro 2004 when they suspected a never-proved fix when Denmark and Sweden drew 2-2 to eliminate them, will make sure his troops are motivated despite only having pride to play for.

"It would not be fair to the other countries in the group if I did not select my best team," said Trapattoni. "With this team, and these players, I am proud." Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is sure Ireland and Spain will be totally professional. "I know we have to believe right until the end. I don't believe in any suspect goings on," Prandelli said. "It all depends on us, we need to deserve the win, it won't be easy."

A victory would be enough for Italy to reach the quarter-finals in second place if Spain or Croatia win the other match. However, an Italy win and a draw in the Spain game makes the situation complicated because all three teams would then be level on five points and head-to-head results come into play. A 'mini-league' between the three would be the deciding factor, with Italy having drawn 1-1 with both.

A 0-0 draw between Spain and Croatia means Italy would go through with a win while a 1-1 draw would bring group goal difference into play. A scoring draw of 2-2 or higher between Spain and Croatia, though, and Italy are out whatever they do against the Irish. Prandelli is set to make changes with forward Mario Balotelli possibly being replaced by Antonio Di Natale and Alessandro Diamanti in the running for a spot in midfield or as a second striker after impressive form in training. Defender Andrea Barzagli is almost fit after a calf problem.

The Italy coach was annoyed that the players sat on their 1-0 halftime lead over Croatia last time out only for Mario Mandzukic to equalise. "It's not a matter of fitness, it's more a mental thing," Prandelli said. "This is the mentality we have to change. We are a good team, we've got to believe it a bit more."

Predictions: Italy 2-0 over Ireland

Ireland winger Damien Duff may wear the captain's armband to mark his 100th cap for his country while normal skipper Keane said the squad were determined to put on a show. "The mindset is we are not going home without any points," Keane told reporters.

Euro Cup 2012 Highlights: Italy Seals Victory Thanks To Super Mario

Italian striker duo Antonio Cassano’s first-half header and Mario Balotelli’s spectacular late volley and his morbid goal celebration gave Italy a 2-0 win vs Ireland which took them into the Euro 2012 quarter-finals as Group C runners-up behind Spain. The AC Milan striker headed home from Andrea Pirlo’s 35th-minute corner before substitute Balotelli added a second at the death to finally kill off Republic of Ireland’s brave resistance.

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli’s men were on top for the majority of the first half of the game Ireland vs Italy, and a header from Antonio Cassano minutes before half-time gave the squadro azzurra lead to hold on to. Mario Balotelli then stepped up to seal the victory moments before the final whistle with a typically dramatic finish from just outside the six-yard box. Balotelli ‘s goal celebration was as spectacular as the goal itself. He turned toward the Italian bench and began to swear and moving his hands and arms before he was stopped by a teammate and a verbal warning from Italian midfielder Tiago Motta.

Mario Balotelli was dropped from Italy’s starting XI in the Euro 2012 Group C decisive game of Italy vs Ireland after two forgettable matches. To say Balotelli looked ordinary would be giving him too much credit. It put into question his nickname 'Super Mario' with that name being transferred over to Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic, who is Euro’s co-leading scorer. But with Mario Balotelli goal vs Ireland he got his nickname back but with an additional ‘ sick ‘ between Super Mario.

Apparently upset at having lost his nickname (because nicknames are that important to Balotelli, or just to keep this nickname theme going), Balotelli decided to do the most super thing of the tournament thus far. He came in off the bench and scored a peach of a goal. A stupendous goal? A super goal. and what a goal celebration followed that strike. Actually Balotelli’s reaction to his super goal vs Ireland was out of sheer anger and frustration.

Spain’s 1-0 win over Croatia in Gdansk meant the reigning Euro champions topped Group C, but Italy managed to go through the Quarter Finals of Euro 2012 in second place.

EURO 2012: Italy vs Ireland Timeline

• 90+3' - That's full-time at Municipal Stadium Poznan. The final score is 2-0.
• 90+2' - Cuneyt Cakir has awarded Italy a corner. Andrea Pirlo takes the kick from the Right .
• 90+2' - Italy's Alessandro Diamanti gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Ireland defender.
• 90+2' - Corner awarded to Italy.
• 90+2' - Italy's Mario Balotelli misses with an attempt on goal.
• 90+1' - At Municipal Stadium Poznan the fourth official shows that 3 minutes will be added to the Second half.
• 90' - Cuneyt Cakir has awarded Italy a corner. Andrea Pirlo takes the kick from the Left .
• 90' - Italy take a comfortable 2-0 lead thanks to Mario Balotelli.
• 90' - Alessandro Diamanti with an assist there.
• 90' - At Municipal Stadium Poznan Alessandro Diamanti (Italy) takes a corner from the Right.
• 89' - He's off!Keith Andrews is shown a second yellow card.
• 88' - Mario Balotelli for Italy drives towards goal at Municipal Stadium Poznan. But the finish is unsuccessful.
• 86' - Ireland make their Third substitution with Simon Cox replacing Robbie Keane.
• 85' - Leonardo Bonucci of Italy gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 84' - Sean St. Ledger for Ireland has been booked by Cuneyt Cakir and will miss the next match due to a suspension.
• 80' - Cuneyt Cakir blows against Ireland's Robbie Keane for offside.
• 79' - Ireland's Keith Andrews gets in a shot on goal at Municipal Stadium Poznan. But the effort is unsuccessful.
• 76' - Jonathan Walters is replacing Kevin Doyle for Ireland at Municipal Stadium Poznan.
• 76' - Italy's Thiago Motta is whistled for offside at Municipal Stadium Poznan.
• 75' - In Poznan Damien Duff for Ireland takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 74' - Mario Balotelli is on a sub for Antonio Di Natale for Italy.
• 73' - Gianluigi Buffon for Italy has been booked by Cuneyt Cakir and receives a first yellow card.
• 71' - Daniele De Rossi (Italy) has been booked and must now be careful not to get a second yellow card.
• 69' - Italy's Andrea Pirlo gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 67' - Ireland's Richard Dunne is whistled for offside at Municipal Stadium Poznan.
• 66' - Corner awarded to Ireland.
• 66' - In Poznan Italy drive forward through Alessandro Diamanti. His shot is on target but it's saved.
• 65' - Ireland have been awarded a corner by Cuneyt Cakir. Damien Duff steps up to take it.
• 65' - Giovanni Trapattoni (Ireland) is making a First substitution, with Shane Long replacing Aiden McGeady.
• 63' - Italy's Antonio Di Natale has run offside.
• 63' - Italy make their Second substitution with Alessandro Diamanti replacing Antonio Cassano.
• 60' - Keith Andrews gets his shot on target but fails to score for Ireland.
• 58' - Italy's Claudio Marchisio breaks free at Municipal Stadium Poznan. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 57' - Cuneyt Cakir has blown to resume play in Poznan.
• 57' - Cesare Prandelli (Italy) has taken off Giorgio Chiellini who seemed to be grimacing with pain earlier. A possible injury. Leonardo Bonucci is the replacement.
• 56' - Giorgio Chiellini is writhing in pain and play has been suspended for a few moments.
• 55' - Italy drive forward and Antonio Di Natale gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
• 53' - Ireland surge into the attack at Municipal Stadium Poznan but Richard Dunne’s header is off-target.
• 53' - In Poznan Damien Duff for Ireland takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 51' - Italy are pushing forward but Daniele De Rossi's finish is wide of the goal.
• 50' - Kevin Doyle of Ireland gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 49' - Italy are pushing forward but Federico Balzaretti's finish is wide of the goal.
• 49' - Italy drive upfield and Antonio Cassano gets in a shot. The strike is blocked by a Ireland defender.
• 48' - At Municipal Stadium Poznan Andrea Pirlo (Italy) takes a corner from the Left.
• 48' - Italy's Antonio Di Natale gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Ireland defender.
• 46' - The second half has started at Municipal Stadium Poznan.
• 45' - The first-half is over at Municipal Stadium Poznan.
• 44' - Corner awarded to Italy.
• 43' - Daniele De Rossi (Italy) gets in a strike but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 41' - In Poznan Ireland's Robbie Keane is caught offside.
• 39' - John O'Shea (Ireland) gets a yellow card.
• 38' - Italy push forward at Municipal Stadium Poznan and Andrea Pirlo gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Ireland defence.
• 37' - Ireland's Keith Andrews has been booked in Poznan and will miss the next match through suspension.
• 35' - Andrea Pirlo instrumental with a fine assist.
• 35' - Goal! Italy take a 1-0 lead through a well-placed header from Antonio Cassano.
• 35' - Italy have been awarded a corner by Cuneyt Cakir. Andrea Pirlo steps up to take it.
• 35' - Antonio Cassano of Italy smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 33' - Italy push forward at Municipal Stadium Poznan and Antonio Di Natale gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Ireland defence.
• 32' - Federico Balzaretti for Italy is whistled offside.
• 31' - In Poznan, Antonio Di Natale of Italy is presented with a shooting opportunity. But the strike is blocked by the covering defence.
• 28' - Federico Balzaretti (Italy) has received a yellow card from Cuneyt Cakir.
• 24' - Cuneyt Cakir has awarded Ireland a corner. Damien Duff takes the kick from the Right .
• 21' - Cuneyt Cakir blows against Ireland's Aiden McGeady for offside.
• 18' - Italy's Federico Balzaretti misses with an attempt on goal.
• 17' - In Poznan Andrea Pirlo for Italy takes a corner from the Right-hand flag.
• 12' - Ireland drive forward but Aiden McGeady is judged offside.
• 11' - Italy have been awarded a corner by Cuneyt Cakir. Andrea Pirlo steps up to take it.
• 11' - Cuneyt Cakir has awarded Italy a corner. Andrea Pirlo takes the kick from the Left .
• 9' - Corner awarded to Italy.
• 7' - At Municipal Stadium Poznan Andrea Pirlo (Italy) takes a corner from the Right.
• 1' - Italy are coming forward and Daniele De Rossi gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 1' - The whistle has gone to start the match.

Don't miss a score! Catch real time updates on your favorite EURO 2012 MATCH. Which team will win?