Gilardino struck in the final minute of normal time just as it looked as though Sean St Ledger’s 87th-minute header had blown the race for automatic qualification from Group Eight wide open.

Ireland, who were already guaranteed a play-off spot thanks to Cyprus’ win over Bulgaria earlier today, had taken the lead through Glenn Whelan’s eighth-minute strike, but Mauro Camoranesi levelled with 26 minutes gone as the reigning champions booked their ticket to South Africa.

Full report to follow.