Germany secured a place in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, overcoming Italy 5-4 on aggregate despite a late fightback from the Azzurri in a 3-3 second-leg draw at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. The Germans had won the first leg 2-1 in Milan.
Germany appeared to be cruising to victory after establishing a three-goal aggregate lead by halftime. Captain Joshua Kimmich opened the scoring from the penalty spot, awarded after Tim Kleindienst was fouled by Alessandro Buongiorno.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma then made a significant error, contributing to Germany’s second goal. After tipping a Kleindienst header over the bar, Donnarumma left his line to remonstrate with the referee. Kimmich took the resulting corner quickly, and Jamal Musiala swept the ball into the unguarded net.
Kleindienst headed in Kimmich’s cross just before half-time, seemingly putting the tie beyond Italy’s reach at 5-1 on aggregate.
However, Italy produced a spirited second-half performance. Former Everton striker Moise Kean scored twice, first with a clinical finish into the bottom corner and then after being set up by Giacomo Raspadori, to reduce the aggregate deficit to a single goal.
Italy dramatically leveled the score on the night in the fifth minute of injury time. Maximilian Mittelstädt was adjudged to have handled the ball, and Raspadori converted the resulting penalty.
Despite the late surge, Italy were unable to find a fourth goal that would have forced extra time.
Germany Reach First Nations League Semi-Final
The result marks the first time Germany have reached the Nations League semi-finals in the competition’s four editions. They will host Portugal in the semi-finals in June.
The victory also determines the World Cup qualifying groups for both nations. Germany will be placed in Group A alongside Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, and Slovakia. Italy, as a result of losing the quarter-final, will be in Group I with Estonia, Israel, Moldova, and Norway. The match highlighted Germany’s attacking strength in the first half, but also their vulnerability under pressure, while Italy’s second-half comeback showcased their resilience. Donnarumma’s error, however, proved crucial in the overall context of the tie.
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