Italy qualified for Euro 2016 and kept up their unbeaten Group H record with victory over Azerbaijan in Baku.
The Italians went ahead when Sampdoria striker Eder slotted in from Marco Verratti's superb pass.
Azerbaijan equalised through Dmitri Nazarov's low, first-time strike, but Italy regained the lead as Stephan El Shaarawy tapped in from close range.
Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian hit a third, and Azeri defender Badavi Huseynov was sent off late on.
Having failed to make it through to Sweden in 1992, Italy - runners-up in 2000 and 2012 - have now qualified for six consecutive Euro tournaments.
Norway beat Malta 2-0 to go five points clear in second place, with third-placed Croatia facing Bulgaria later on Saturday.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (2) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)
Azerbaijan
- 01 Aghayev
- 05 Medvedev Booked
- 03 Huseynov Dismissed
- 14 Sadiqov
- 21 Dasdamirov
- 02 Garayev
- 22 Ismayilov (Mirzabayov - 91' )
- 08 Pascual Israfilov (Sadiqov - 66' )
- 19 Amirguliyev
- 13 Nazarov
- 10 Qurbanov (Erat - 74' )
Substitutes
- 04 Pashaev
- 06 Sadiqov
- 09 Mammadov
- 11 Erat
- 12 Mammadov
- 15 Abisov
- 16 Quliyev
- 17 Jafarov
- 18 Hajiyev
- 20 Mirzabayov
- 23 Nazirov
Italy
- 01 Buffon
- 04 Darmian
- 19 Bonucci
- 03 Chiellini
- 02 De Sciglio
- 06 Candreva (Montolivo - 88' )
- 10 Verratti
- 16 Parolo
- 14 El Shaarawy (Florenzi - 74' )
- 09 Pellè
- 17 Citadin Martins (Giovinco - 79' )
Substitutes
- 05 Florenzi
- 07 Zaza
- 08 Soriano
- 11 Bonaventura
- 12 Sirigu
- 13 Padelli
- 15 Barzagli
- 18 Montolivo
- 20 Giovinco
- 21 Bertolacci
- 23 Quagliarella
Ref: William Collum
Matteo Darmian's goal for Italy vs Azerbaijan
Matteo Darmian has scored his first ever goal for Italy in their Euro 2016 qualifier tonight against Azerbaijan.
The defender picked up the ball outside the box and fired in a great effort which left the goalkeeper flat footed to give Italy a commanding lead.
After his poor performance against Arsenal at the Emirates, a goal like this will be a great boost of confidence for Darmian and as he has shown already this season at Manchester United, he’s adept in attack as well as defence.
A scintillating performance from Eder inspired Italy to a 3-1 win over Azerbaijan to secure their place in Euro 2016.
The Sampdoria frontman opened the scoring 11 minutes in, before initiating the move which allowed Stephan El Sharaawy to put the Azzurri back in the lead, following Dimitrij Nazarov’s equaliser.
Eder could, and should, have had a brace but for a excellent goalline clearance, while his link up play with Graziano Pelle also impressed.
Matteo Darmian put the result beyond doubt just after the hour mark with his first ever Italy goal, while Badavi Guseynov was handed a late red card.
Surprisingly it was Rahid Amir Guliyev who tested Gianluigi Buffon on a couple of occasions early on, but almost against the run of play Italy took the lead.
An exquisite Marco Verratti pass expertly found Eder who poked past Murad Agayev.
Eder then almost turned provider to Pelle but the Southampton striker was denied by the Azerbaijan goalkeeper. However, the home side levelled the tie on the half hour through Nazarov.
A hacked clearance from Giorgio Chiellini fell to the Ruslan Qurbanov, who turned Leonardo Bonucci and fed Nazarov on the edge of the area as the Karlsruhe striker fired past Buffon.
The Azzurri restored their advantage just before half-time after a well worked move between Eder and Antonio Candreva found El Shaarawy, who slotted into an empty net.
After the break, Italy looked to assert their dominance on Azerbaijan, but came up against a resolute and stubborn backline.
It looked as if Eder was going to double his tally for the evening, after latching onto the end of a Marco Parolo through ball, and getting his shot past Agayev, but Rashad Sadygov brilliantly cleared off the line.
Just five minutes after that opportunity Darmian got the third for Italy, latching onto a poor clearance and firing past a statuesque Agayev from 20 yards out.
Pelle set up Eder whose snapshot from the edge of the area was easily saved, before a Rahid Amirguliyev effort was deflected wide. And then in the final moments Guseynov was given a straight red card for pulling back Sebastian Giovinco who was in on goal.
The Toronto FC striker then smashed the Azerbaijan crossbar with the resulting freekick.
Elsewhere in Group H, Norway defeated Malta 2-0 to also confirm their place in France next summer and travel to the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday to face Italy for top spot in the group.
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