Germany secured a dramatic UEFA Nations League semi-final spot after surviving a thrilling second-half comeback from Italy, drawing 3-3 in Dortmund on Sunday but progressing 5-4 on aggregate.
A first-half masterclass from Joshua Kimmich, who scored from the spot and provided assists for Jamal Musiala and Tim Kleindienst, saw Germany race into a commanding 3-0 lead before halftime.
However, an injury-ravaged Italy mounted a stunning fightback in the second half, with Moise Kean netting twice to put the hosts under immense pressure. The visitors nearly forced extra time when they were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute, only for VAR to overturn the decision.
Giacomo Raspadori converted a stoppage-time penalty to keep Italy’s hopes alive, but it was too little too late as Germany held firm to book their first-ever Nations League semi-final spot.
Nagelsmann’s Germany Continue to Impress
With the semi-finals now set to take place on German soil in Stuttgart and Munich this June, Julian Nagelsmann’s side will be looking to capitalize on home advantage.
Despite the late scare, the victory extended Germany’s impressive form, with their only defeat in 17 matches coming in extra time against Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Nagelsmann acknowledged that his team still had lessons to learn. “We know how well we can play football, but we need to show it for the full 90 minutes,” he said. “I leave with a clear understanding of our strengths, but we still have work to do.”
Italy’s Late Push Falls Short
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti admitted his side lacked composure in the early stages but praised their spirited second-half display.
“The second half was excellent, but we were too afraid to play like that for the entire game,” he said.
Italy arrived in Dortmund, the site of their famous 2006 World Cup semi-final victory over Germany, facing an uphill battle. Already missing key players like Mateo Retegui and Federico Dimarco, they were further weakened by the absences of defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Andrea Cambiaso.
Spalletti had spoken before the match about needing to achieve “something impossible,” but Germany’s fast start made that task even harder.
Germany’s Fast Start Proves Decisive
Musiala and Kimmich combined brilliantly, with the Bayern Munich midfielder dictating play and Nico Schlotterbeck providing dangerous passes from deep.
Germany’s opener came from the penalty spot after Alessandro Buongiorno brought down Kleindienst in the box, allowing Kimmich to coolly slot home his fourth career penalty.
Moments later, a quick-thinking Kimmich caught Italy off guard with a swift corner, leading to Musiala tapping into an empty net while Gianluigi Donnarumma was still arguing with the referee.
Germany’s dominance was capped off in the final minute of the half when Donnarumma initially denied Kleindienst’s header but failed to stop it from crossing the line, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Italy’s Comeback Falls Just Short
Germany dropped their intensity after the break, allowing Italy to take control. Kean capitalized on a defensive lapse to smash home from close range in the 49th minute before curling in a second after being played through by Raspadori in the 68th minute.
A penalty awarded to Italy in the 73rd minute threatened to level the tie, but VAR intervened, ruling it out. However, they eventually got their spot kick in stoppage time, with Raspadori making no mistake from 12 yards.
Despite their late rally, Italy fell just short as Germany held on to celebrate a hard-fought aggregate victory.
With their Nations League dream still alive, Nagelsmann’s Germany will now turn their focus to the semi-finals, where they aim to claim their first title in the competition.
