Bari, Italy - Italy had Giampaolo Pazzini sent off after three minutes as they drew 1-1 with visiting Ireland Wednesday in a Group 8 World Cup qualifier.

Vincenzo Iaquinta gave Italy an 11th-minute lead only for Irish captain Robbie Keane to equalize shortly before half-time.

There was much emotion at the rain-drenched San Nicola stadium where Giovanni Trapattoni was widely cheered on as he led the Irish squad against the Azzurri side he coached from 2000 to 2004.

The world champions hosts seemed to be in deep trouble on three minutes when striker Pazzini received a red card for elbowing John O'Shea in the face as both players jumped for a high ball in midfield.

Pazzini, who was on target on his debut game Saturday as Italy beat Montenegro 2-0, complained that he didn't mean to hit O'Shea, but his dismissal hardly weakened the Azzurri's offensive schemes in the first half.

Italy switched to a two-pronged attack with Simone Pepe supporting Iaquinta, who on 11 minutes flicked home from close-range a low precise feed from left-back defender Fabio Grosso.

A high drive from Keane on 23 minutes was Ireland's first telling effort, while Pepe had a good chance but failed to deflect home another left-flank cross from Grosso.

Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made his first save on 40 minutes deflecting Stephen Hunt's nasty shot from the area limit.

The Irish side stepped up their pressure after the break, but caused little trouble to the Azzurri's defence, who, however, dithered and was beaten in the final minutes of the game.

Kevin Kilbane on 41 minutes fired in a shot that met Buffon's spectacular deflection, but the goalkeeper stood no chance two minutes later as Keane fired from close range to finalize an action triggered by a long ball from goalkeeper Shay Given.

In injury time, Ireland threatened again as the Azzurri's defence dithered but managed to avoid an embarrassing home defeat.

"I say that we (in Italy) always complain about our referees, but we should look at the foreigners," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said.

"We played 90 minutes with 10 men for a foul that did not involve violence. It is bad that we had to play a game like this due to a referee's call."

Italy lead the group on 14 points and retain a two-point lead on Ireland. (dpa)