Italy secured qualification to Euro 2016 with a game to spare on Saturday after a 3-1 win away to Group H rivals Azerbaijan, who were reduced to 10 men in the closing minutes.
Sampdoria striker Eder opened Italy’s account inside the quarter hour and although Azerbaijan levelled through Dmitri Nazarov on 31 minutes, Monaco forward Stephan El Shaarawy restored Italy’s advantage just before half time.
Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian gave Italy some breathing space with a superb strike on 65 minutes.
Italy, beaten finalists at Euro 2012, remain top of Group H on 21 points from nine qualifiers, two ahead of Norway ahead of the sides’ clash in Rome on Tuesday.
The Azzurri join already qualified Austria, Czech Republic, England, France (as hosts), Iceland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.