Italy maintained their perfect record under Gennaro Gattuso with a crucial 3-1 win in Estonia in World Cup qualifying, ensuring they did not lose further ground on rivals Norway.

Having seen Norway pull nine points clear at the top of Group I with a dominant 5-0 win over Israel earlier on Saturday, the Azzurri moved back within six points with a game in hand and a head-to-head meeting with Erling Haaland and company to come.

The visitors wasted no time in going ahead as Moise Kean curled into the far corner after taking on Marten Kuusk just four minutes in, though the Fiorentina striker did not last much longer before limping off injured.

Federico Dimarco's clearance almost defected in off Rocco Shein, but Italy had a golden chance to double their lead when Mateo Retegui hit the deck under Kuusk's challenge inside the area. However, Retegui's penalty was brilliantly tipped onto the right post by Karl Hein.

Retegui made amends in the 38th minute, though, as he swept home after being found by Riccardo Orsolini's cutback from the right, with the goal surviving a VAR check for offside.

Retegui sent another shot spiralling over the crossbar early in the second half, before his instinctive flick sent Giacomo Raspadori through on goal. However, Hein made himself big to deny the Atletico Madrid man.

Francesco Pio Esposito put Italy further ahead when he diverted Leonardo Spinazzola's cross into the far corner in the 74th minute, and though Rauno Sappinen profited from a Gianluigi Donnarumma error to pull one back, it was too little, too late for Estonia.

Data Debrief: Gattuso's record-breaking start

Italy scored five goals in both of their first two games under Gattuso last month, routing Estonia 5-0 then beating Israel 5-4 in a thriller. And after netting three more goals on Saturday, the Azzurri have scored 13 goals in three matches under the AC Milan legend – more than in their first three outings under any manager.

Kean got their first, becoming only the fourth player to score in at least four consecutive World Cup qualifiers for Italy, after Luigi Riva (five, 1968-1972), Roberto Bettega (four, 1976-1977) and Filippo Inzaghi (four, 2000-2001).

However, Italy will desperately hope Kean's ankle injury is not too serious, given they must win their final three matches – and hope for favours from elsewhere – to have any chance of beating Norway to automatic qualification and avoiding the play-offs.