Shamrock Rovers' hopes of an upset in the third qualifying round of the Europa League faded after an Amauri brace gave Juventus victory in the first leg in Dublin.

Shamrock fell behind in just the third minute as the Brazilian striker slotted home after good build up by the Italian giants.

But the hosts put in a gutsy effort to stay in the game and occasionally threaten an equaliser, before Amauri's 75th minute header rounded off an ultimately comfortable success for the visitors.

The home side, perhaps understandably, made a nervous start with Juventus dominating possession as Shamrock continually gave the ball away in midfield.

And they fell behind after just three minutes as Amauri played an excellent one-two with Diego, going on to slot the ball beyond Alan Mannus in the Shamrock goal.

Shamrock defender Dan Murray had a chance to level matters just two minutes later, but he took too long to get his shot away as he struggled to bring the ball down.

Diego then came very close to doubling the lead in the 19th minute as a poor backpass from Murray put keeper Mannus under pressure, but the Brazil midfielder dragged his effort wide.

Juventus were having the run of the midfield, with former Liverpool man Mohamed Sissoko easily breaking up any potential Shamrock attacks.

The hosts did finally manage to put some pressure on their illustrious visitors in the 25th minute when a long ball picked out Thomas Stewart, whose goal against Bnei Yehuda had handed Rovers this tie, and the forward's jinking run saw him threaten the Juve box, but Giorgio Chiellini cleared his cross to safety.

But it was not long before Luigi Del Neri's side were back on the attack and Davide Lanzafame almost extended their lead after good work by Diego, but his shot was deflected just wide of the near post.

New signing Pepe then headed wide as the pressure increased on Michael O'Neill's side.

There was a brief respite for the hosts just before the break after a fine run from Enda Stevens, but striker Gary Twigg was caught offside.

After being outplayed for so much of the first half the hosts came out with a more positive attitude after the break, with Murray heading a great chance wide after good work down the left flank by Stewart.

Chris Turner then saw a long-range effort fly over the bar and Juve briefly looked rattled.

But they soon rediscovered their composure and Amauri was denied a second by the post after latching onto a long ball downfield.

Pepe then saw his low shot skim the far post and Claudio Marchisio failed to control the ball after being played in by Amauri.

But the clinching goal finally came as a powerful header saw the forward beat Mannus for a second time, with Juve comfortably seeing out the final 15 minutes without alarm.

Teams:

Shamrock Rovers Mannus, Stevens, Sives, Price,Rice (Dennehy 66), Chambers (Kavanagh 78), Twigg, Turner,Stewart, Murray, Bayly (Bradley 90).

Subs Not Used: Jennings, Flynn, O'Connor, Murphy.

Booked: Bayly.

Juventus Storari, Motta, Chiellini, Sissoko,Marchisio (Ekdal 89), Amauri, Bonucci, Lanzafame (Martinez 52),Pepe, Diego (Del Piero 82), De Ceglie.

Subs Not Used: Manninger, Trezeguet, Grygera, Ferrero.

Booked: Pepe, Marchisio.

Goals: Amauri 3, 75.

Att: 5,800

Ref: David Borbalan (Spain).