• Euro 2012 play-offs

Ireland take a giant leap closer to Euro 2012 in Tallinn

Robbie Keane scored twice for Ireland © PA Photos

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Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane all but secured his side's place at Euro 2012 after Giovanni Trapattoni's men beat nine-man Estonia 4-0 in the first leg of their qualifying play-off in Tallinn.

Keith Andrews got Ireland off to a flying start, rising high to meet Aiden McGeady's cross from the left. Estonia's task got tougher when they were reduced to ten men after Andrei Stepanov clattered Robbie Keane for a second yellow card.

In the absence of the suspended Kevin Doyle, Stoke striker Jonathan Walters started alongside Keane up front, and the Stoke forward repaid Trapattoni's faith with a goal. Walters had Keane to thank after the LA Galaxy player selflessly set up his strike partner, flicking the ball over Sergei Pareiko to the far post for Walters to nod home for his first international goal.

Keane was on the scoresheet just three minutes later to effectively kill the tie, showing a real striker's instinct to slam home the rebound after Pareiko failed to hold onto Andrews' low shot. Estonia skipper Raio Piiroja was given his marching orders in the 77th minute, and Keane put the icing on the cake for the Irish two minutes from time, converting from the penalty spot after Ats Purje brought down Stephen Hunt in the box.

Portugal were held to a 0-0 draw by Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zenica. Despite dominating possession, the visitors were frustrated on a woefully inadequate pitch as Helder Postiga missed the best of what chances they created, while Cristiano Ronaldo again struggled to recreate his club form in a Portugal shirt.

Paulo Bento's side remain firm favourites to progress when the two sides meet again in Lisbon on Tuesday.

Croatia virtually guaranteed themselves a place at Euro 2012 after hammering hosts Turkey 3-0 in Istanbul. Ivica Olic gave Slaven Bilic's side the perfect start when he turned home Vedran Corluka's cross from close range with just two minutes on the clock.

Mario Mandzukic doubled the lead half an hour later when he nodded past the flailing Volkan Demirel at the far post, before Corluka completed the scoring in the 51st minute with only his second international goal.

A late header from Tomas Sivok saw the Czech Republic put one foot in the Euro 2012 finals with victory over Montenegro. The Czechs held a narrow lead after Vaclav Pilar's 63rd minute goal but Sivok's goal in injury time gives them a clear advantage going into the second leg.

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