And it’s six! The National Team triumphed 2-1 over Finland under the rain in Tampere, recording their sixth win in a row in qualifying and taking a big step towards EURO 2020 in the process. The prolific Pukki’s fifth goal in qualifying was not enough for the home side in their quest to stop the Azzurri in their tracks, and the Italians can now celebrate both Ciro Immobile’s return to goal-scoring ways and another three points, thanks to Jorginho’s penalty winner ten minutes from time.

There were five changes to the side that started against Armenia, but there was no alteration in Italy’s mindset as they looked to boss the game and make things happen, a mentality that has brought 18 goals in their last six matches. The National Team can secure qualification for EURO 2020 on 12 October, when they will face Greece on home soil in Rome. The capital will also be the starting point for the first ever touring European Championship in history, which kicks off on 12 June, and in which the Azzurri will certainly hope to play a leading role.

Match report: "I will make four or five changes," announced Mancini as he underlined the need for fresh legs after an arduous match in Armenia. The five entrants to the side had varying impacts on the game. Acerbi came in for Romagnoli in defence, partnering tonight’s captain Bonucci at centre-back, who with this start joined Alex Del Piero level in tenth place for Azzurri appearances (91). The Coach once more opted for the attacking-threat of Emerson on the left but changed his right-back, this time selecting Armando Izzo over Florenzi. This set-up was designed so that when Emerson inevitably got forward, Italy would drop into a natural back three. In midfield Sensi slotted in for Verratti, whilst Lorenzo Pellegrini and Immobile returned to the side, replacing the tired legs of Yerevan Bernardeschi and Belotti and forming an unprecedented front three alongside Chiesa.

Teemu Pukki posed the main threat for the Italy defence as the spearhead of Coach Kanerva’s 4-5-1 formation. The Norwich City forward has been on form in the Premier League with five goals already after hitting 29 last season in the Championship.

Attempting to cut out a long ball that was meant for Pukki proved costly for Emerson who went off injured after just six minutes. Florenzi came on to link up with Roma teammate Lorenzo Pellegrini on the left. After 25 quiet minutes of Italy struggling to create much in the face of Finland’s pressing, Sensi almost opened the scoring with a brilliant volley from the edge of the area but Hradecky pulled off an incredible save. A minute later, quick interplay set up Barella for a shot but the Finnish goalkeeper got down to save. 30 minutes in, Chiesa crossed for the head of Immobile but he nodded it wide before Florenzi was picked out by Bonucci in the box only to fire into the arms of Hradecky. Italy started to move the ball more quickly and apply more pressure with Sensi dictating the play. The Inter summer signing went close in the 43rd minute with a long shot that went just wide before Hradecky saved from Chiesa.

Pukki’s first shot came early in the second half but it lacked accuracy. Ciro Immobile made no mistake in the 59th minute to give Italy the lead. Chiesa played a great cross from the right, the ball lightly clipped Arajuuri on the head before the Lazio forward nodded in for his first Italy goal in two years since scoring against Israel. After going ahead, Sensi lost the ball which allowed Pukki to make his way into the box before Sensi brought him down. The striker went down the middle and scored his fifth goal of the qualifying campaign. Chiesa made way with Bernardeschi coming on and he went close immediately from a free kick. Italy kept going for the win and Mancini brought Andrea Belotti on. The Torino forward came in from the left before the ball found Barella and his shot struck the arm of Vaisanen and Scottish referee Madden pointed to the spot. Jorginho stepped up to restore Italy’s lead. After, Belotti twice forced Hradecky into saves before a late Finland assault but the Azzurri hung on for the win. Italy have now taken six points from the last two away games and qualification is almost in the bag. Greece will visit Rome on 12 October and a win would seal European Championship qualification.

FINLAND 1-2 ITALY

Goals: 59’ Immobile (I), 72’ pen. Pukki (F), 79’ pen . Jorginho (I)

FINLAND: Hradecky (Cap); Granlund (82’ Soiri), Toivio, Arajuuri, S. Vaisanen, Uronen; Lod, Schuller (7’ Kauko), Kamara, Lappalainen (74’ Tuominen); Pukki. Substitutes: Joronen, Jaakkola, L. Vaisanen, Forsell, Jensen, Karjalainen, Pirinen, Skrabb, Raitala. Coach: Markku Kanerva.

ITALY: Donnarumma; Izzo, Bonucci (Cap), Acerbi, Emerson (6’ Florenzi); Sensi, Jorginho, Barella; Lo. Pellegrini, Immobile (76’ Belotti), Chiesa (73’ Bernardeschi). Substitutes. Sirigu, Meret, Mancini, Romagnoli, D’Ambrosio, Tonali, Grifo, El Shaarawy, Lasagna. Coach: Mancini.

Referee: Bobby Madden (Sco). Assistants: Francis Connor and David Roome (Sco). Fourth Official: John Beaton (Sco).

Bookings: Jorginho (I), Schuller (F), Donnarumma (I), Vaisanen (F), Kauko (F)