Women's European Championship/Republic of Ireland 1 Italy 2:Manager Noel King warned of the difficult task Ireland would face, but in defeat he can't fault his side's commitment. Italy are, after all, ranked 13th in the world and their superior technical skills stood true. But Ireland made their opponents work hard for the duration, their late goal spreading anxiety through visiting ranks.
Keen to build on their opening group win over Hungry, Ireland started impressively with strikers Katie Taylor and Olivia O'Toole looking very lively.
O'Toole, in particular, was a thorn in the Italians' side. She varied her angles intelligently, leaving the defence flat-footed, and Taylor, when dropping deep, also added bite to midfield.
Niamh Foley and captain Ciara Grant were unforgiving in the challenge, testing the Italians to the point of frustration.
Ireland soon challenged with Stephanie Curtis forcing goalkeeper Chiara Marchitelli to gather at the second attempt.
But while Ireland persevered, Italy steadied and became a real force as they availed of stray Irish passing and countered menacingly.
Following a neat move, captain Patriza Panico edged in front of her marker and steered a close-range shot narrowly wide. Tatiana Zorri's long-range effort then tested goalkeeper Emma Byrne.
Italy took the lead five minutes before the break. Venusia Paliotti was played into the box and, having slipped one tackle, she fired at Byrne. Despite blocking with her hand, the ball looped over the Arsenal goalkeeper into the net.
That lead was doubled 12 minutes after the restart. Paliotti was dispossessed under a crunching tackle but the ball broke free to her unmarked captain just inside the box. Panico curled it high into the net.
But Ireland ensured a grandstand finish. Substitute Laura Hislop floated a looping cross for O'Toole to head home her 50th international goal 15 minutes from time.
But despite repeated efforts the hosts couldn't manage to get the equaliser they craved.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: E Byrne; Curtin, Moore, S Byrne, Boyle; O'Connor, Grant, Fahey, Curtis; Taylor, O'Toole. Subs: O'Brien for O'Connor (63), Hislop for Boyle (73), Hughes for Taylor (83). Booked: Curtin (29), Taylor (77).
ITALY: Marchitelli; Gama, Tona, Perelli, Cassanelli; Gabbiadini, Tuttino, Barbierato, Paliotti; Panico, Zorri. Subs: Domenichetti for Gabbiadini, Fuselli for Paliotti (both 87).
Referee: Tanja Schett (Austria)
