Italy face Azerbaijan on Saturday knowing a win would guarantee them qualification for next summer's European Championships in France.
And the 2012 finalists got off to the perfect start, Sampdoria striker Eder stabbing the ball past the goalkeeper after a brilliant pass from Marco Verratti.
But the lead was shortlived, as Dimitrij Nazarov capitalised on some messy Italian defending to draw the hosts level.
Italy started the day top of group H, two points clear of second-placed Norway. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, are fifth with just six points from eight games.
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