Robbie Keane kept the Republic of Ireland's hopes of automatic qualification alive with a last-gasp equaliser.

The Ireland captain levelled with only three minutes remaining to ensure coach Giovanni Trapattoni did not leave his native country empty-handed as the visitors staged a grandstand finish.

Italy had taken the lead through Vincenzo Iaquinta's 11th-minute strike but the reigning world champions were a man short for 87 minutes following Giampaolo Pazzini's dismissal.

Afterwards Trapattoni was a happy man with a precious World Cup point.

The 70-year-old was cheered to the dug-out by the home fans, who jeered his compatriot Marcello Lippi for not selecting local boy Antonio Cassano.

The draw means the Republic remain two points behind Italy in the Group Eight table but, crucially, still five ahead of Bulgaria, who earlier beat Cyprus 2-0 in Sofia.

Trapattoni said: "I was hoping for a draw coming here as it would put more pressure on Italy.

"They are still ahead, so that's an advantage, but there are many, many games to go.

"Yesterday, I didn't want to say anthing as I didn't want to jinx it. But we are among 11 unbeaten teams in the qualifying.

"I told my players that and I thought that would give them momentum."