Ten-man Italy cruise past Israel whilst Kosovo create history with their first ever competitive point in Finland

TEN-MAN Italy kick-started their World Cup qualifying campaign with a confident 3-1 victory in Israel.

Former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle opened the scoring after 14 minutes before Antonio Candreva doubled their advantage from the spot just past the half-hour mark.

Tal Ben Haim, pulled one back with a stunning chip before Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini was sent off for a second yellow card with 35 minutes to go.

But Inter Milan striker Ciro Immobile put the result beyond doubt with a late strike.

Elsewhere minnows Kosovo created history by earning their first World Cup qualifying point with an impressive 1-1 draw in Finland.

It was their first competitive match in the nation’s history and a goal on the hour by Valon Berisha meant Kosovo secured a famous draw.

In Group I, Turkey and Croatia couldn’t be separated as the duo battled to a 1-1 draw.

Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring from the spot but Hakan Calhanoglu levelled the match on the stroke of half time.

In the earlier fixture, Austria bounced back from their poor Euro 2016 showing with a 2-1 victory over Georgia.

Bayern Munich’s David Alaba assisted Martin Hinteregger after 16 minutes before Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic set up veteran striker Marc Janko.

Albania’s clash against Macedonia was suspended due to heavy rainfall with the score level at 1-1.