An emotional Rory McIlroy seaking to Sky Sports after making it four points from five this week: "I needed that [the scenes from last night] to fuel me today and not let it take away from a great week. I felt like I used it to my advantage. I feel the whole team came out here with a different level of focus and determination. In a way, it lit a fire under the bellies of the whole team. I so wanted to win another pointt for Europe.

"Ever since Whistling Straits, I was so disappointed in my performance there so to come here to Rome and get four points for the team means a lot to me and hopefully we can just get it done.

"I feel like it's a great bounceback for us after what happened. It's an incredible team, a young team and one that will be around for a long time, The support has been unbelievable.

"It's also been a great week for me personally. I am now going to go and follow boys and get them in the house and get this over and done with. We have played the back nine pretty well this week so I have full confidence in the boys to get the job done"

Only 1½ more points needed for Europe but those last two matches now only have one hole in them...

Image source, BBC Sport

The Tyrrell Hatton lead is down to just two as Brian Harman picks up a birdie - and this one has still got plenty of life left in it.

Sam Burns takes off his hat. All over!

Rory McIlroy does not need to putt out and earns his fourth point of the week.

The Northern Irishman roars his delight before being swamped in a big bearhug from Europe captain Luke Donald.

McIlroy's redemption arc is complete.

After tears of sadness at Whistling Straits two years ago, there are tears of joy for an emotional McIlroy.

Blimey! Burns does nearly chip in on the 17th. Hearts in European mouths there for a moment.

That's a big mistake from Nicolai Hojgaard who misses from about five feet and hands the hole to Xander Schauffele for the American to grab a two-hole lead at a vital time.

It's getting tough for the rookie now in the heat of the Ryder Cup battle.

Opportunity for Justin Thomas to really press it home against Sepp Straka as he lines up birdie from six feet.

Hands on his head as he pushes it right. An error from the US talisman.

It's a half, but 3UP at this stage would have been far more secure.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man!

Rory McIlroy pulls out a pearler of an iron shot on the 17th tee, going for gold with Burns missing the green and hitting the jackpot.

Twelve feet of short grass stands between McIlroy and earning a huge point for Team Europe.

(Unless Burns pulls a rabbit out of the hat and knocks in...)

Ryder Cup, eh.

Matt Fitzpatrick smashes his tee shot into the water on 16 but instead of playing conservative, Max Homa goes for the big shot as well.

He's swimming as well.

Start again, boys.

Justin Rose just doesn't quite hit his long, sweeping right-to-left breaker on 17, and Patrick Cantlay steps up with 15 feet to win the match - and the result is inevitable!

He rolls it in to complete the 2&1 victory and get a point back for America - with plenty of red still on the board as well.

Jon Rahm speaking to Sky Sports: "I played really good golf and only made two mistakes on three and 11 where the putts didn't drop. Scottie played well tee to green, he missed a couple of putts but made a couple too - that was key.

"We've had a couple of really good matches, he's a heck of a competitor so hats off to him. I'm so glad I could tie it.

"I was extremely [aware of the significance]. I told myself I wasn't going to look but it's so hard not to when there are scoreboards everywhere. I think I did a really good job of staying focused.

"Too bad I wasn't good enough to win it but I will take the half."

This match is still alive!

A neat touch from McIlroy from way out west leaves him with a great opportunity to drop in the birdie putt... but he misses it.

Burns knocks a deft chip close for the gimme. That's one hole back for the mulletted American.

McIlroy remains two up with two to play...

Everything is fine, European fans. ISN'T IT?

An ugly par five 12th from this duo as they combine for a par and a bogey.

It's Thomas that gets the par and he tips his imaginary cap to the galleries as he strides off with two in the bag.

A rare Patrick Cantlay miss with an iron off the 17th tee, however he gets a huge slice of luck as it takes a soft bounce and instead of skipping off into the rough, catches a piece of the green and rolls back down to about 15 feet.

The American can close this out here.

Rickie Fowler starting to flag in the 11th pair? Or just wilting under the pressure of Tommy Fleetwood.

Fowler flunks his approach into the green and Fleetwood seizes the initiative to drill home from eight feet.

He's two up.

Rory McIlroy can play the percentages with his advantage on the scoreboard.

With a three wood in his hand, McIlroy knocks a drive as straight as arrow and lands in the first cut at the back of the left side of the green.

The trust goes into an up and down from there.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

There are huge screens dotted all around the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club which means you get a double-whammy of noise every time a European putt drops. One loud cheer in real time and another a few seconds later.

Great for the atmosphere and European morale but slightly misleading with regards to the sway of matches.

Image source, BBC Sport

This is a huge moment for Matt Fitzpatrick. Can he take inspiration from Justin Rose to sink a long one?

Yes he can! Magnificent from the Englishman and he keeps hanging on against Max Homa.

These two head to the final three holes with just one separating them.

All or nothing now for Sam Burns.

The big dog is out on the 16th tee, indicating he is going for the flag.

A lovely shape to his fade as his ball soars through the sky and kisses the back edge of the green.

It can't stick though and rolls down the fringe to the sound of European fans cheering like one of their crew is chugging a beer.