Florence: Southampton striker Graziano Pelle scored off Antonio Candreva's pinpoint cross to hand Italy a precious 1-0 win over Malta in Florence on Thursday that sent the hosts top of their Euro 2016 qualifying table. With direct rivals Croatia held to a scoreless draw in Azerbaijan, the Azzurri were given extra incentive prior to hosting Bulgaria Sunday in a match that could secure their ticket to next summer's finals in France.

Yet Italy, who had Pelle to thank for their 1-0 win in Malta earlier in the campaign, had to attack a heavily-fortified Maltese backline time and again before Pelle rose to fire in the opener on 69 minutes, although television replays showed the ball could have deflected off his shoulder. Italy coach Antonio Conte welcomed the win but admitted some of his players were still looking for form. "We're top of the group.