Italy returned to winning ways with a solid, though certainly not spectacular, 1-0 victory over minnows Malta.
Graziano Pelle struck the killer blow 20 minutes from time as Antonio Conte's side returned to the summit of Group H, with Croatia having been held to a goalless draw with Azerbaijan earlier in the evening.
Team news
Conte, for the second consecutive fixture, lined his side up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Manuel Pasqual drafted in at left-back despite playing a total of zero minutes so far this campaign.
In a surprise inclusion, Andrea Bertolacci began in midfield alongside the trusted duo of Andrea Pirlo and Marco Verratti.
Manolo Gabbiadini, arguably the most prolific striker at Conte's disposal, began in attack, alongside Graziano Pelle, who netted against England in March, and Sampdoria forward Eder.
Malta, in the meantime, set-up in a rigid 5-3-2 system, with captain Michael Mufsud replaced by Alfred Effiong in attack.
Andrew Hogg was favoured to Justin Haber between the sticks.
Italy quickly monopolise possession, but fail to make a breakthrough
As anticipated, Malta quickly withdrew into a five-man backline, surrendering the initative to the Italians and allowing the likes of Pirlo and Verratti to dictate the tempo.
However, despite their dominance, it took until the 13th minute for Conte's side to muster a menacing attempt towards goal. Graziano Pelle, an everpresent in the opening 45 minutes, spun his marker and unleashed a ferocious effort on the half-turn, but it was deflected out for a corner.
Pirlo continued in his quest to quicken Italy's rhythym, executing some lovely round-the-corner passes into the feet of Pelle and Gabbiadini. But there was little penetration in the final-third.
Verratti worked himself half a yard on the edge of the area but, like Pelle previously, saw his effort spin out for a corner. The Southampton man then went close from a corner delivered from Pirlo.
The match opens up
But it was Malta who had the best chance of the half. The visitors broke quickly from an Italian attack before Effiong shimmied inside of Leonardo Bonucci and curled an effort that trickled inches east of the far post.
Italy responded, however, going close via Eder after the Brazilian-born attacker was granted acres of space to drive himself towards and unleash an effort towards Hogg's goal. Bertolacci had also went close minutes before.
The half concluded with Pelle's stabbed attempt from Bonucci's lofted pass, which encapsulated the Azzurri's first-half display.
Italy seige continues
Having surved a late rally from the hosts before the interval, the second period started, unfortunately for the visitors, in similar vein to the first.
Italy came close shortly after the restart courtesy of some quick-thinking from Pirlo. From a free-kick on the edge of the area, the veteran picked out an unmarked Matteo Darmian in the six-yard box, but the Manchester United defender’s effort was duly blocked.
The right-back then turned creator when he delivered a tantalising cross into the area, but Hogg’s fingertips were enough to divert it to safety.
Italy, though, were edging close. Gabbiadini whipped an effort towards goal and off the crossbar minutes later. Pelle followed suit by crashing a shot into the side netting after being liberated by Pasqual.
The all-important breakthrough, however, was made with just over 20 minutes remaining on the clock. Antonio Candreva, who replaced Gabbadini minutes earlier, delivered a sumptous cross into the danger area. Pelle tussled with his marker inside the box and, after Hogg mistimed his punch, was left with a free header. The relief, perfectly personified by Conte on the touchline, was palpable.
Conte’s side continued their assault on the Malta goal, with Marco Parolo, a fellow substitute, forcing an acrobatic save from Hogg between the sticks.
Time marched on and, fortunately enough for Italy, Malta offered little in the dying embers. Effiong, whose performance on the evening will certainly have intrigued plenty of scouts on the globe, went close -- and was duly ruled offside. Italy clung on and now welcome Bulgaria to Sicily on Sunday evening. Malta, meanwhile, host Azerbaijan.