Heartbreak for Ireland under-21s as late Gnonto goal steals point for Italians
UEFA European Under-21 Qualifiers Group A
Republic of Ireland 2 (Phillips 31, Armstrong 47) Italy 2 (Gnonto 45+1 pen, 90+6)
Wilfried Gnonto robbed the Republic of Ireland under-21s of a thoroughly deserved three points with a 96th-minute equaliser to maintain Italy’s unbeaten record.
Jim Crawford’s charges looked like they were about to shoot to the top of their European qualifying group with a brilliantly executed game plan against the top seeds before the Leeds United striker’s deflected heart-breaker.
The Azzurrini hadn’t conceded a goal in their first four games but they were plundered for two at Turner’s Cross by Killian Phillips and Sinclair Armstrong. Each time, however, Gnonto found the leveller, first from a penalty and then a header.
It denied the Irish international set-up a much-needed feelgood story and a first win over their under-21s' bogey team in seven attempts dating back to 2012.
There was an on-field scuffle at the end but the night did finish with Ireland climbing a place into second in Group A due to Norway’s 2-0 loss to Turkey. They lie just one point behind the Italians at the midway point of the qualifiers.
Crawford made two changes from Friday’s 3-2 defeat to Norway, with Crystal Palace clubmates Seán Grehan and Phillips coming in for Connor O’Riordan and Kian Leavy.
Italy, backboned by the team that finished runners-up at the Under-20 World Cup in June, had plenty of firepower.
Gnonto, holder of 13 senior caps, led the line and they even had the luxury of a regular Premier League starter on the bench in Burnley winger Luca Koleosho.
Their first-touch passing threatened to carve Ireland open early on but each time they were shut down by the likes of Bosun Lawal, Sam Curtis, Grehan, and
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