Italy snatches away win

Estonia 1 Italy 2

Italy came from behind with two second-half goals to snatch a 2-1 away win at Estonia in their Euro 2012 qualifier opener tonight.

Antonio Cassano equalised on the hour mark before setting up Leonardo Bonucci three minutes later for Italy's second.

Sergei Zenjov put Estonia into a 31st minute lead and the home side were unlucky not to add to their advantage when Sander Puri's right-footed strike beat Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu but hit the crossbar and stayed out.

The result marks Italy's first win in 2010 and gives new coach Cesare Prandelli his maiden victory with the Azzurri since replacing Marcello Lippi after the World Cup.

Prandelli lost on his debut in a friendly against the Ivory Coast last month.

The triumph has moved Italy level on three points with Estonia in Group C.

Prandelli played with Cassano, Giampaolo Pazzini and Simone Pepe in attack.

Riccardo Montolivo had the first chance for Italy with a 20-yard volley going over the bar. Shortly after, Estonia goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko did well to parry away Pazzini's right-footed shot.

Estonia took the lead soon after. Sirigu was unable to hold onto Konstantin Vassiljev's free-kick and Zenjov pounced and knocked the ball in from six yards.

Cassano, who wasn't included in Lippi's World Cup squad this summer but has been immediately called in by Prandelli, should have pulled Italy level before the break.

The Sampdoria striker got past his marker but fired wide from the edge of the area.

Italy showed more determination after the restart and were rewarded.

Captain Andrea Pirlo curled in a corner towards the heart of the area where an unmarked Cassano got his head to the ball and nodded past the keeper.

It did not take long for Italy to go in front. Pirlo again took a corner and Cassano flicked the ball with the back of his heel into the path of Bonucci, who made no mistake from six yards.

Italy held on to claim a valuable win on the road.

Prandelli's side host the Faroe Islands on Tuesday. Bonucci, meanwhile, could not hide his delight with his goal giving Italy three points.

"My role is as a defender but when you score and it helps the team get a victory, it is something important," he said after the game. "We wanted to start well and we have done so. We have suffered today but we have been able to react.

"Cassano is a superb player and he pulled out a great assist and I was to take advantage of it."