Josh Magennis scored a late winner to ensure Northern Ireland made it three wins from three in their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
The hosts led at the break through captain Konstantin Vassiljev’s superb low free-kick.
But after a spell of heavy pressure, NI equalised through Conor Washington.
Josh Magennis then scored the winner three minutes later when he turned home Jamal Jones’s low cross.
Victory means Michael O’Neill’s side have won all three of their Euro 2020 qualifiers to date, having beaten Estonia and Belarus in Belfast in March.
The hosts were the better side in the first half and deservedly led at the break through Vassiljev’s fine free-kick.
Madis Vihmann had a header disallowed in the first half after he was adjudged to have fouled visiting keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell while Vassiljev rattled the crossbar early in the second half.
But as time went on O’Neill’s side grew into the game and looked more considerably more dangerous after the introduction of Washington, Jones and Magennis in the second half.
It was Washington’s enterprising run and effort that brought about their equaliser. His shot appeared to glance off the chest of Magennis and evade Estonia goalkeeper Sergei Lepmets, meaning the goal was initially awarded to Magennis, though, it was later given to Washington.
Magennis, who scored a late winner to beat Belarus in March, combined with fellow substitute Jones to complete the comeback with a fine deft touch.
Northern Ireland will look to make it four wins from four in Group C when they travel to Barysaw to play Belarus on Tuesday with a formidable double-header against the Netherlands and Germany awaiting them in the autumn.
O’Neill’s substitutes change the game
Despite dominating possession in the opening moments in Tallinn, Northern Ireland were outshone by their hosts, who are ranked 63 places below them, for much of the first half.
Estonia looked sharper, which is perhaps unsurprising given the majority of their players are midway through their club seasons, with the Estonian top flight running between March and November.
Estonia’s goalscorer and captain Vassiljev looked particularly imposing in the middle of the park with Northern Ireland’s midfield three of Steven Davis, Paddy McNair and George Saville struggling to take a hold of the game.
But O’Neill’s side came out in the second half with a renewed vigour to their play, helped in large by the introduction of Washington, who replaced Liam Boyce at half-time.
The recently released Sheffield United forward frequently came short to receive possession and drive at the Estonia defence, where Boyce had been bullied by the powerful pairing of Karol Mets and Vihmann.
And with the introduction of Jones and Magennis, the visitors only grew in confidence as they began to create chances at will.
Saville spurned two chances in quick succession and Jonny Evans headed over from a corner as they pushed for an equaliser.
Jones was particularly impressive as he repeatedly ran at the Estonia defence and he could have made it 3-1 late on with a flashing drive that went just past the post.
But Estonia did miss a golden chance to level late on when Artjom Dmitrijev failed to get a free header on target.
Germany and Netherlands wait on the horizon
Northern Ireland boss O’Neill set a goal of picking up maximum points from his side’s opening four Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Before his team’s tie in Tallinn he even spoke of setting up a “three-team group” with the Netherlands and Germany, by beating Estonia and Belarus this month.
However, those aspirations were very much in danger as the game entered the closing stages at the A Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, especially for a side without an away win in their last seven attempts.
But Washington was on hand to equalise and score Northern Ireland’s first away goal in 719 minutes, covering seven games, before Magennis sealed their triumph.
Northern Ireland’s attentions will now turn to Tuesday’s game against Belarus where a victory would see them take 12 points from their opening four qualifiers.
But even if O’Neill’s side can do that, qualification for the finals is by no means secured because only two teams will progress from Group C.
And the favourites to take those two spots are four-time world champions Germany, who visit Belfast in October before an away game against Nations League finalists the Netherlands in October.
Northern Ireland then host the Netherlands in November before completing their qualifying campaign with a trip to Germany.
NI do the double over Estonia – the stats
- Northern Ireland have won four of their six meetings with Estonia (L2), including both meetings in 2019.
- Estonia have now lost each of their last five European Championship qualifying matches, with today seeing their only goal scored in those five defeats.
- Northern Ireland have only lost one of their last 13 qualifying matches for the European Championship (W9 D3), with today’s win extending their unbeaten run in such games to nine (W6 D3).
- Conor Washington became the first NI player to score a goal in an away international match since Steve Davis against San Marino in September 2017, ending a run of seven games and 719 minutes without a goal away from home for the Green and White Army.
- Josh Magennis has scored two goals in his last two appearances for Northern Ireland, one more than he managed in his previous 11.
- There were just 167 seconds between Northern Ireland’s equaliser from Conor Washington and their winning goal by Josh Magennis.
- Konstantin Vassiljev’s goal was Estonia’s first scored directly from a free-kick in a European Championship qualifier since Vassiljev himself scored one in March 2011 versus Serbia.
