Ian Porter's penalty sealed a sudden-death win for Ireland against Italy in their IRB Junior World Championship in Cardiff.
A dour battle in the Arms Park rain saw the kickers dominate in the second game of the day to go into extra-time following Scotland's late victory over Canada.
Ulster scrum-half Porter kicked penalties early in each half for Eric Elwood's Irish side while Riccardo Bocchino replied in the 37th and 72nd minutes.
Neither side could break the deadlock in the first 10 minutes of the sudden-death contest, despite Ireland trying to run the ball from deep.
But Porter kept his nerve from long range in the last minute of the second period with rugby's first penalty shoot-out beckoning.
Ireland now face Scotland on Sunday in the play-off for ninth place overall in the tournament.
