Italy have beaten Malta 1-0 in the Euro 2016 qualifier that was played in Florence this evening. The goal was scored by Pelle in the 69th minute, with Italian state media Rai Uno saying that the goal should have been disallowed for a handball. The Southampton striker had also scored the winner at Ta' Qali last year.

Repeated slow motion footage shown on Italian TV showed that the striker hit the ball into the net using his arm, and Italian commentators said that Italy should consider themselves lucky that the goal was allowed to stand.

Italy needed to win to obtain three points that lifted them to the top of the table after Croatia were held to a 0-0 draw by Azerbaijan, Malta’s next opponents on Sunday.

The Boys in red offered a disciplined display, giving little space to the azzurri who were rarely dangerous, especially in the first half.

The Italians had one single great chance in the first 45 minutes, with an Eder shot which Hogg saved brilliantly.

At the other end, an Effiong curling shot brought the shivers in the Italian side as the ball went narrowly wide.

The Italians upped the pressure in the second half, forcing Malta in their own half for long stretches.

Gabbiadini came close with a left-footed shot that hit the crossbar before it was cleared.

Pelle then scored the winner off a Candreva cross, with the Southampton striker hitting the ball with his arm into the net, an infringement that the referee did not see.

Italy now lead the group with 15 points, one more than Croatia and two more than Norway.

Malta remain at the bottom with one point.