Euro 2012: Group C climax - in pictures

Having lost their opening two games, the Irish fans will be hoping for a better showing from their players against Italy Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

It's nice to see Silvio Berlusconi in such rude health Photograph: Sergio Perez/Reuters

Croatian fans will be hoping their team can cause an upset against Spain this evening where a victory for Croatia would result in them topping the group Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

The Spanish fans are in full voice in Gdansk ahead of the clash with Croatia. Spain only need a draw to ensure top spot in the group.. Photograph: Piotr Pedziszewski/EPA

But could the 2-2 draw happen to send the Italians crashing out? Photograph: Bartlomiej Zborowski/EPA

The Ireland team huddle before kick-off. Can they emulate the famous result against Italy at World Cup '94? Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Sergio Ramos attempts to heads the ball away from danger as the game kicks off in Gdansk Photograph: Pierre-philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images

Robbie Keane goes up with Federico Balzaretti during the early exchanges Photograph: Sergio Perez/Reuters

David Silva goes to ground after a challenge from Ognjen Vukojevic. Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

Antonio Cassano attempts to get a cross into the Irish penalty area but is blocked by Sean St Ledger Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

Following his double against Republic of Ireland, the rejuvinated Fernando Torres will hoping to add to his tally this evening Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Luka Modric moves the ball away from Sergio Busquets. Spain have had most of the possession in the first half but can't break down the Croatians Photograph: Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Just after the half-hour mark and Italy are ahead after an Antonio Cassano header comes off Shay Given and just crosses the line. If the scores stay as they are, the Azzurri will top the group Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Smoke evelopes the pitch as another flare is set off in the stands Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Irish fans do the Poznan in Poznan. Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

Andres Iniesta is surrounded by Croatian players as he looks to start another attack Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Substitute Jesus Navas is beaten to the header by Ivan Strinic Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

Claudio Marchisio acrobatically brings the ball under control as Italy look to hang on in the second half Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Iker Casillas makes an excellent save to deny Ivan Rakitic to keep the scores level Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

Spain beat the Croatian offside trap and Jesus Navas walks the ball into the net to put the defending champions ahead and back into top spot in the group Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Mario Balotelli makes it two on the night but an equaliser in the other game could send Italy out... Photograph: Bartosz Jankowski/Reuters

But the result comes through from Gdansk. Spain have beaten Croatia by a goal to nil and so the Spanish and Italians progress to the quarter-finals Photograph: Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images