Alberto Gilardino scored the goal that booked Italys seat on the plane to South Africa and condemned Ireland to a play-off place in a dramatic game at Croke Park. Before the game Ireland needed a win to keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification, they had already secured a play-off spot as Bulgaria got thrashed 4-1 in Cyprus earlier that day.Ireland fans were confident they could win the game but Italy werent going to go easy on the Irish as they only needed a point to qualify. Ricky Rubio Jersey The Italy team consisted of mainly players from manager Marcello Lippis old club Juventus whose captain Fabio Cannavaro had failed a drugs test a few days before the game. Over 70,000 fans packed into Croke Andre Roberson Jersey Park for probably the most exciting game of the day, and also theonewith most importance.Ireland started well and after 8 minutes Liam Lawrence slid the ball to Glenn Whelan on the edge of the box who fired home to give the Irish a perfect start. The atmosphere around the ground was brilliant after the goal and the Croke Park crowd nearly had another goal to cheer after Liam Lawrences free kick was poorly punched by Gianluigi Buffon who had to thank his defenders for clearing it away. The poor start was forgotten by the Italians when Andrea Pirlos corner came to the head of Mauro Camoranesi whose powerful header found the back of the net to equalise. Ireland panicked when Glenn Whelan earned himself a yellow card for a late challenge on Angelo Palombo: this meant he would be suspended for Wednesdays clash with Montenegro. Italy were full of confidence and were on the attack for the rest of the half, but Sean St.Ledger and Richard Mike Muscala Jersey Dunne were solid at the back for Ireland and made sure it was 1-1 when Norwegian referee Terje Hauge blew his whistle to signal half-time.Camoranesi makes it 1-1After half-time Italy didnt have many clear cut chances but kept the ball well, Luguentz Dort Jersey restricting Ireland to their own half. Everything started to change when in the 73rd minute Alberto Gilardino and Salvatore Bocchetticame on for Italy. Italy seemed content with the draw but when Sean St.Ledger headed what looked to be the winner with 3 minutes to go the pre sure was on.What a response! Almost immediately Italy attack, awful defending combined with a superb run by Vincenzo Iaquinta meant that when the ball fell to Gilardino he easily tucked the ball past Shay Given in the Ireland goal. The huge contingent of travelling Italy fans couldnt believe it, they had qualified for the World Cup and to do it in such dramatic fashion made it all the better. The final Josh Hall Jersey whistle went and the Ireland players must have been kicking themselves for conceding a goal so late on,as commentators say youre most vulnerable when youve just scored.Gilardino mobbed after late equaliserPlayer RatingsIrelandGiven 7OShea 8Dunne 8St. Ledger 9*Kilbane 7Lawrence 8Andrews 6Whelan 8McGeady 6Keane 9Doyle 7SUBSRowlands 6S. Hunt 8Best 8ItalyBuffon 6Zambrotta 9Chiellini 8Legrottaglie 7Gro so 6Camoranesi 8Palombo 7Pirlo 8De Ro si 7Iaquinta 8Di Natale 7SUBSGilardino 8Bocchetti 7Pepe 6Man of the Match: Sean St. Ledger (Ireland)