Italy maintained their push for automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3–1 victory over Estonia in Tallinn, extending Gennaro Gattuso’s unbeaten start as head coach. The result keeps Italy second in Group J, six points behind leaders Norway, with a game in hand.
Gattuso’s team began brightly and took the lead after only five minutes. Fiorentina forward Moise Kean broke into the penalty area, shifted the ball onto his right foot and struck a precise finish into the far corner for his sixth goal in four international matches. However, Kean’s evening ended early as he limped off shortly after scoring, raising concerns for both Italy and his club.
Italy continued to dominate possession and were handed an opportunity to double their lead midway through the first half when Mateo Retegui was fouled by Marten Kuusk in the box. Retegui stepped up to take the penalty but was denied by Estonia goalkeeper Karl Hein, who pushed the ball onto the post.
Retegui made amends before half-time, converting Riccardo Orsolini’s clever pass to give Italy a deserved two-goal advantage at the interval. After the restart, Gattuso’s side continued to press forward, with Giacomo Raspadori going close and Hein making several fine saves to keep Estonia in contention.
The third goal arrived with 15 minutes remaining through a well-worked team move. Leonardo Spinazzola linked up with Nicolo Barella on the left before delivering a low cross that Francesco Pio Esposito guided into the net for his first senior international goal.
Estonia managed a late consolation when Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma spilled a cross into the path of Rauno Sappinen, who scored to end his side’s three-match goal drought.
Despite losing their clean sheet, Italy’s win continued their strong form under Gattuso, who has now overseen three victories from three matches, with 12 goals scored. The Azzurri will next face Israel at home as they continue their bid to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
