Shay Given 7

Entered the game as one of two world-class keepers on show and came out of it better than Buffon. Helpless for the goals but did make a fine stop from Grosso in the first half.

John O'Shea 7

Defending was patchy and he was less than convincing for the goals. Made amends with a second-half clearance when Ireland were stranded. One of the few creative passers.

Seán St Ledger 7

Marry a millionaire and it's easy to have a good looking bank balance. Stick a player beside Richard Dunne and it's easy to have a good looking centre-half. Stepped out of shadows with goal but then...

Richard Dunne 7.5

Not his best night but we know well by now he's the diamond in the rough. Provided a much needed physical presence but as the game wore on, much of his team crumbled around him.

Kevin Kilbane 6.5

Defensively sound but how many times do we see him take off on aimless runs without looking up. But the first part is the important part, anything else would have been a bonus.

Liam Lawrence 7

Little wonder Stoke score so many from set plays with him on board and he was at it again here. Teed up the goal and much more, but lacked pace in open play. If only he had McGeady's quick feet.

Glenn Whelan 7

Incredible goal as the ball was bobbling when it reached his right foot. But while he did the exquisite, struggled with the more mundane as the middle of the pitch was lost. Substituted.

Keith Andrews 6

Won't have done anything to silence the pleas for Andy Reid's return. Busy in early stages but never got hold of the ball or the game as the Italians took over and Ireland dropped ever deeper.

Aiden McGeady 7

His pace and trickery left Italy dizzy down their right flank. But having worked himself into space on numerous occasions, the final ball repeatedly fell short. If only he had Lawrence's delivery.

Robbie Keane 7

With Grosso going forward more than back, there was space that he could and should have exploited. On the plus side, was the only one that looked threatening as the game wore on.

Kevin Doyle 6

Again ran the hard yards but they were yards that were too far from goal. Along with O'Shea was poor in the air as the Italians drew level and was eventually and rightly removed just after the hour.

Substitutes

Leon Best 5

Like was replaced with like. Doyle did little and Best acheived less. Player of the Month for September in the Championship is well and good, but this is Italy, not Ipswich.

Martin Rowlands and Stephen Hunt not on long enough to be rated.

Manager

Giovanni Trapattoni 7.5

Say what you will about the declining quality of Italy but it's better to have a look at your own garden before slagging the neighbours for not cutting the grass. His Liam Lawrence selection paid off, his gameplan tried to exploit Grosso's attacking instincts and he's now got two draws against the world champs. And that with a bench that includes Paul McShane.