MODENA, June 3 (Reuters) - Italy cruised to a 3-0 win over Estonia to stay five points clear in Euro 2012 Group C as they moved closer to a place at the finals on Friday.

The Azzurri’s new strike partners Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano hit it off immediately with the pint-sized forwards taking it in turn to score in the 21st and 39th minutes with copycat angled drives to give Italy a 2-0 cushion at halftime.

Fourth-placed Estonia, who had taken four points off Serbia in their past two games, rarely threatened as an exciting Italy grabbed a well-taken third goal after 68 minutes through substitute Giampaolo Pazzini.

Italy’s fifth win in their six competitive matches under coach Cesare Prandelli put them on 16 points ahead of second-placed Slovenia and eight points clear of Serbia in third with both those teams having played a game more.