Convincing loss to Italy sends Republic of Ireland U21s into Euros play-off

The Republic of Ireland under-21s now know that a play-off will be the route to a potential first ever qualification to a major tournament after suffering a 1-4 defeat to Italy.

Goals, the first from the penalty spot from Nicolò Rovella and the second a long range strike from Nicolò Cambiaghi, put the home side in the driving seat in the first half.

Less than a minute after the break Pietro Pellegri pounced on a defensive mix-up between Mark McGuinness and Brian Maher to put the game beyond doubt. Substitute Giacomo Quagliata surged forward from left back to get Italy's fourth.

Ireland skipper Conor Coventry converted from the penalty spot after Will Smallbone went down under the challenge of Mattia Viti to give Ireland some hope but the game was long wrapped up before that.

Ireland started the game nervously, centre-half Eiran Cashin gave the ball away in a poor area allowing Pellegri to fire from a tight angle which Maher deflected away from danger.

Cambiaghi and Pellegri caused the Irish back four all sorts of problems with their movement and pressing but it was from a setpiece that Ireland were undone.

McGuinness tangled with opposition centre-back Caleb Okoli and dragged him to the ground giving the referee no option but to award a penalty. Rovella coolly slotted beyond Maher in the 20th minute.

Just 15 minutes later, the Italians doubled their lead. Maher clipped a ball towards Evan Ferguson, but it was the Italian centre-half Lorenzo Pirola who powered a header towards Cambiaghi.

He controlled well and unleashed a powerful right-footed effort which Maher got a hand to but couldn't deflect it around the post.

Maher had been treated for an injury in the preceding minutes which could have hampered his efforts but it was an