The Italian job wasn’t to be. Here, it was Italian celebration and Irish devastation.
Several Republic of Ireland players fell to their knees when the full-time whistle sounded; for some, there were tears. They were so close here that they could almost taste it.
History was in their grasp, but they leave Trieste empty-handed as their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign came to a heartbreaking end after drawing with group winners Italy.
The Republic of Ireland’s Sinclair Armstrong is consoled by Italy counterpart Luca Koleosho
The previous Friday, Jim Crawford’s men were just seconds from securing a November Play-Off but fell short against Norway, and in this final qualifier, they fell short again despite a battling performance. Their wait for a first-ever Under-21 Euros qualification goes on.
Chelsea’s Cesare Casadei struck the opener just moments after the Irish watched two efforts cleared off the Italian goal-line.
Wilfried Gnonto then wasted a first-half penalty before skipper Andrew Moran handed the visitors a lifeline, levelling on 66 minutes.
But the five-time Euro winners saw out the point they needed to book their ticket for Slovakia 2025.
The Republic of Ireland’s Connor O’Brien shows his dejection following his side’s draw with Italy
For the Republic, a late winner would have clinched automatic qualification.
After Ray Houghton at Giants Stadium 30 years previous, Glenn Whelan at Croke Park 15 years prior and Robbie Brady in Lille in 2016, no one could add to that famous list here as, instead, it was the end of the road at the Stadio Nereo Rocco.
Although they drew, the Republic could have still clinched second place and a November Play-Off if Norway dropped points at home to Turkey – but the Scandinavian side got the job done with a resounding 5-1 win to break Republic hearts to secure second for themselves.
Italy U21: Desplanches, Savona, Ghilardi, Bertola, Zanotti (Turicchia 76), Casadei, Prati, Ndour, Baldanzi (Bonfanti 89), Esposito (Fabbian 54), Gnonto (Koleosho 76).
Rep of Ireland U21: Brooks, Adegboyega, Abankwah, Garcia MacNulty, Curtis (O’Brien 46), Adeeko (O’Mahony 81), Healy, Roughan (Adaramola 46), Moran, Kenny (Emakhu 59), Armstrong.
Referee: Adam Ladeback (Sweden)