Francesco Pio Esposito was the matchwinner for Italy as they defeated Luxembourg 1-0 in an international friendly.

Captain Gianliugi Donnarumma and Esposito were the only familiar names in the Italy squad as interim boss Silvio Baldini named a younger squad while they wait to appoint a new head coach.

Esposito was at the forefront of the action in the first half, flicking an improvised effort just past the left post before a bicycle kick from the Inter striker also went narrowly wide of the goal.

Niccolo Pisilli could only hit the side-netting after being found in the box by Esposito shortly after the half-hour mark, though the latter eventually made the breakthrough four minutes into the second half.

Esposito's header from Pisilli's out-swinging corner could not be kept out by Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Morris, who was also left stranded when Pisilli struck the woodwork shortly after from Luca Koleosho's cross.

Luxembourg failed to create any clear-cut chances from their nine attempts, which amounted to 0.41 expected goals (xG), while Italian substitute Seydou Fini fired over the bar with a first-time strike late on.

Esposito to lead the new era for Italy?

This was Italy's first match since their World Cup play-off defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina, where they lost on penalties and missed out on qualification for the tournament for the third consecutive edition.

Esposito was one of the players to miss a penalty for Italy, though the 20-year-old was willing to be a part of this rotated squad, and he took his chance to prove he can lead Italy's attack going forward.

Esposito (four goals in eight matches) is only the third player to score more than three goals wearing the Italy shirt before turning 21, after Giuseppe Meazza (11) and Gianni Rivera (five).

The overall age of Italy's starting lineup was 21 years and 354 days: it is the youngest for the Azzurri in a match from December 1912 (21 years and 308 days against Austria in a friendly, with coach Umberto Meazza).

Although many of these players will not be selected for their Nations League squad in September, it will still be a valuable experience on the international stage.