Sonatane Takulua slotted the winning penalty with the last kick of the game as Tonga earned their first win over Italy since their first match-up, which took place at Rugby World Cup 1999.
The kick snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as Italy had seemingly earned the win with a 78th minute penalty from Edoardo Padovani.
Italy outscored Tonga by two tries to one and had two further tries disallowed, but the Azzuri couldn't quite shake off and paid the price.
Italy were without Sergio Parisse but went into half time with a 7-3 lead thanks to a try from Lorrenzo Cittadini, versus a penalty from Takulua who narrowed the gap with his second successful kick early in the second half.
Tonga then took the lead in the 52nd minute when centre Siale Piutau evaded Padovani down the left and sprinted into the left corner for a converted try, and a 13-7 lead.
Luke McLean then created a try for Benetton Treviso team-mate Tommaso Allan who converted his own try, but Allan was yellow carded shortly afterwards and Takulua made it 16-14.
There was still time for the lead to change two more times, with Padovani landing his penalty before Takulua held his nerve to secure an exciting win.
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