Italy left it late as they battled to a 2-0 win over Moldova in their penultimate World Cup qualifier in Chisinau.
The Azzurri had already secured a playoff spot, but hopes of taking first place in Group I were all but mathematically over after Norway had earlier beaten Estonia 4-1.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side, though, looked to have been left frustrated against the bottom-of-the-table Moldovans — until Gianluca Mancini nodded in with two minutes left and substitute Francesco Pio Esposito headed home another during stoppage time.
Italy made a bright start at the Zimbru Stadium, with Gianluca Scamacca sending Giacomo Raspadori in on goal, but his shot was saved at the near post.
AS Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante then saw his backheeled flick from a corner pushed around the post by Moldova goalkeeper Andriy Kozhukhar.
Riccardo Orsolini sent his 20-yard effort over as Italy continued to keep the home side under pressure.
Bologna forward Orsolini was involved again in the 25th minute when his free kick was only half punched clear and defender Mancini fired the loose ball over.
Moldova finally threatened when Mihail Stefan got away on a swift counter-attack and his cross was volleyed over by Virgiliu Postolachi.
Cristante and then Orsolini both sent efforts wide as Italy ended the first half strongly, but without finding the breakthrough.
Italy remained on the front foot early in the second half, with Andrea Cambiaso seeing his close-range shot blocked by Ioan-Calin Revenco.
Scamacca also saw his effort charged down before substitute Pio Esposito tested Kozhukhar with a central volley and then drilled a low shot wide from the edge of the area.
Italy, who next face Norway on Sunday, eventually got their reward with just two minutes left when Mancini stooped to glance in a cross from Federico Dimarco.
Pio Esposito then headed home a second goal after a deep ball in from Napoli winger Politano on the right to the back post.
Italy could go level on points with group leaders Norway with a win on Sunday, but they trail by 17 in goal differential making it all but impossible to take top spot and the automatic bid that goes along with it.
That will leave Italy in a 16-tearm UEFA playoff with four spots at the World Cup on offer.
Information from PA was used in this recap.
