Estonia starting XI (4-2-3-1): Hein, Peetson, Paskotsi, Kuusk (subbed for Mets), Saliste (subbed for Sinyavskiy), Soomets, Palumets (subbed for Schjonning-Larsen), Kait, Shein (subbed for Mustmaa), Saarma, Tamm (subbed for Sappinen)

Bench: Igonen, Perk, Yakovlev, Kristal, J. Tamm, Miller, Vetkal

Goals: Sappinen 76’

Italy starting XI (3-4-3): Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Orsolini (subbed for Cambiaso), Barella (subbed for Frattesi), Tonali, Dimarco, Kean (subbed for Esposito), Retegui (subbed for Cristante), Raspadori (subbed for Spinazzola)

Bench: Carnesecchi, Vicario, Gabbia, Locatelli, Udogie, Cambiaghi, Mancini

Goals: Kean 4’, Retegui 38’, Esposito 74’

The Azzurri dominated proceedings with 65 per cent possession and 24 shots on goal to Estonia’s two.

The deadlock was broken in under four minutes as Moise Kean, after several stepovers, cut inside his man and shot into the far-right post from 12 yards out.

In the 30th minute, Italy had the opportunity to double their lead thanks to a penalty awarded for a trip, but Mateo Retegui’s effort was kept out by a fine save from Karl Hein.

However, Retegui only needed to wait eight minutes to get on the scoresheet. Riccardo Orsolini’s cutback teed the Saudi-based striker up to finish from just outside the six-yard box.

In the 74th minute, Francesco Pio Esposito scored his first national team goal with a fine half-volley assisted by Napoli’s Leonardo Spinazzola.

Estonia grabbed a consolation goal soon after as Rauno Sappinen pounced on a howler by Gianluigi Donnarumma, who dropped a sitter right in front of the striker.

Next up for Italy is a crunch match against Israel, the only team who can catch them in second place. The Azzurri will be hoping for better than second though - but for that to be a possibility, group leaders Denmark will need to drop points against Estonia.

Italy kicks off against Israel on Wednesday at 5:45 a.m. (AEDT).