Francesco Pio Esposito celebrates his first senior Italy goal against Estonia (@azzurri)
Italy dominated Estonia in Tallinn with Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Francesco Pio Esposito goals, but also missed a penalty and paid for a Gianluigi Donnarumma howler.
The Azzurri had won both games under new coach Gennaro Gattuso, 5-0 over Estonia in Bergamo and 5-4 with Israel last month. With Mattia Zaccagni and Matteo Politano out injured, he adopted an even more attacking 4-4-2 in Tallinn with Riccardo Orsolini and Giacomo Raspadori out wide. Estonia had three points, beating Moldova and losing the other four games in this World Cup qualifying group, with Henri Anier suspended.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
Italy took the lead early on, as Federico Dimarco’s through ball found Kean, who cut inside a defender to bend a right-foot finish into the far bottom corner from 12 yards. It was his fourth goal in the last three Azzurri appearances.
Unfortunately, the Fiorentina striker’s game didn’t last long, as Kean then sprained his right ankle when falling awkwardly and had to limp off, replaced by Inter youngster Francesco Pio Esposito.
Mateo Retegui scuffed the angled drive wide on Esposito’s assist, while Riccardo Calafiori’s header was charged down.
When Marten Kuusk mistimed the challenge on Retegui and caught his ankle, Italy were awarded a penalty, but Retegui’s predictable finish was palmed round the base of the near post by Estonia captain Karl Hein.
Retegui made up for that with the second goal, as Orsolini pulled back from the by-line for the Al-Qadsiah striker to sweep in first-time from seven yards.
Italy continued to create chances, as Retegui’s lob skimmed the crossbar, then moments later Hein rushed off his line to deny Raspadori after a Retegui flick.
Substitute Andrea Cambiaso fired straight at the goalkeeper from a promising position, while Leonardo Spinazzola didn’t even manage that when sent clear on goal, hesitating and allowing Rasmus Peetson to make a decisive tackle before he could finish.
Alessandro Bastoni was booked and will be suspended for Tuesday’s match against Israel.
Italy eventually did get a third goal and an historic one, as it was the first at senior level for 20-year-old Esposito. He was ready to fire in first-time with his right foot from 12 yards into the far bottom corner on the low Spinazzola cross from the left.
However, Italy’s goal difference was dented again moments later, as Gianluigi Donnarumma horribly fumbled a cross from the left and allowed Rauno Sappinen to tap in from four yards.
Dimarco tried to score directly from a free kick at the by-line and forced a tricky save from Hien.
Estonia 1-3 Italy
Kean 5 (I), Retegui 38 (I), Esposito 75 (I), Sappinen 76 (E)
Saved penalty: Retegui 30 (I)
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