Julian Nagelsmann‘s Germany scraped into the semi-final of the UEFA Nations League after drawing 3-3 in a dramatic quarter-final second leg against Italy at Signal Iduna Park on Sunday night.
The hosts recorded their first away win against Gli Azzurri in 39 years when they came from behind in the first leg to carry a 2-1 advantage into this weekend’s clash, and it was the lead that they took in that fixture that proved vital in the end.
Die Mannschaft took control of this weekend’s game early on, registering 12 shots in the opening half an hour while giving up just one effort to their opponents, though their breakthrough came courtesy of a spot kick from Joshua Kimmich on the 30-minute mark.
After an impressive save from Gianluigi Donnarumma led to a corner, Kimmich then assisted Jamal Musiala for a bizarre second when Italy were caught sleeping, and the captain notched another assist to send Germany into the break three goals to the good – four clear on aggregate – when Borussia Monchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst headed home just before the interval.
Luciano Spalletti‘s men started the second half stronger than they ever were in the first and pulled one back thanks to Moise Kean, who also gave the visitors some hope when he added a second with a little over 20 minutes to play.
Giacomo Raspadori eventually levelled the score on the night for Italy from the penalty spot to set up a tense final few minutes of stoppage time, but Germany held on to make it through to the semi-final by the skin of their teeth.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
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Germany boss Nagelsmann will be impressed with the way that his team were able to dominate in the first half and raced into what seemed to be a commanding lead thanks to an impressive display from Kimmich.
However, he will be angered by the manner in which they squandered their three-goal lead and gave their opponents a glimmer of hope in what should have been a closed case, regardless of their progression to the semi-final.
As for Italy, Spalletti must be ruing giving up the lead that Sandro Tonali gave them after just nine minutes in the first leg, especially considering that it was Leon Goretzka‘s winner on Thursday that cost them a place in the semis.
On the other hand, Gil Azzurri did show impressive spirit to come back to draw on Sunday night despite a disastrous first 45, and this could serve them well as they prepare for their World Cup qualifiers.
GERMANY VS. ITALY HIGHLIGHTS
30th min: Germany 1-0 Italy (Joshua Kimmich)
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Striker Kleindienst is played through on the right-hand side of Italy’s goal, but is fouled by Alessandro Buongiorno, and the referee awards a penalty.
Kimmich steps up and makes no mistake from 12 yards, placing a fine strike into the bottom-left corner.
36th min: Germany 2-0 Italy (Jamal Musiala)
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Donnarumma makes a fantastic save from a Kleindienst header, but Kimmich quickly takes the proceeding corner and manages to find Musiala alone in the box with an open goal to finish into as the Italy defence are discussing their plans to defend the set piece.
A bizarre second puts Germany in control!
45th min: Germany 3-0 Italy (Tim Kleindienst)
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Kimmich has taken this game into his own hands: The captain is played through on the right-hand side of the Italy box and chips a cross to the back post for Kleindeinst, who climbs above Italy right wing-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo to head his team three goals in front on the night and four on aggregate.
Donnarumma almost saved it, but a brief check of the ref’s watch and the goal is given.
58th min: Germany 3-1 Italy (Moise Kean)
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Germany play some risky passes on the right-hand side of their own half, but eventually Leroy Sane fires the ball towards Kimmich, who stretches for the misplaced pass but can only divert it into the path of Kean.
The former Everton man does well from the edge of the box to beat goalkeeper Oliver Baumann with a powerful shot into the bottom-left corner.
69th min: Germany 3-2 Italy (Moise Kean)
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Italy work the ball from defence into midfield, before Raspadori dribbles away from Pascal Gross and plays in Moise Kean, who squares up centre-back Jonathan Tah in the box, drops his shoulder, and curls the ball into the right-hand side of the net.
The visitors are now just two behind on aggregate – game on?
90+5 min: Germany 3-3 Italy (Giacomo Raspadori)
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Raspadori remains composed in the fifth minute of stoppage time and fires into the bottom-right corner of the next, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way with a stutter run up to level the score on the night and move his team just one behind on aggregate!
There are only six minutes added on – will there be enough time for another Italy goal?
MAN OF THE MATCH – JOSHUA KIMMICH
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The Germany captain dominated the game for his team in the first half by scoring the opener before laying on two assists for his teammates to stretch the advantage.
His arguable error for Italy’s opening goal and the team’s inability to hold onto the lead that Kimmich gave them may have taken the lustre from this performance, but the right-back’s first assist on the night will be remembered for his quick thinking.
GERMANY VS. ITALY MATCH STATS
Possession: Germany 57%-43% Italy
Shots: Germany 22-9 Italy
Shots on target: Germany 8-3 Italy
Corners: Germany 6-4 Italy
Fouls: Germany 15-13 Italy
BEST STATS
🔎 | FOCUS
Joshua Kimmich in the two legs of the #NationsLeague quarterfinal against Italy:
👌 196 touches
⚽️ 1 goal
🎯 3 shots/3 on target
🅰️ 4 assists
🔑 10 key passes
↪️ 8/19 accurate crosses
👟 125/136 accurate passes
🤺 8/11 ground duels won
📈 9.15 average Sofascore… pic.twitter.com/dqZI3L1HKg
— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) March 23, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Up next for Germany is the semi-final of the Nations League in early June, where they will face off against either Portugal or Denmark, while Italy will prepare for their World Cup qualifiers.
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