Germany capitalised on Italy’s mistakes—including a bizarre error from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma—to secure a place in the Nations League semi-finals, despite a late Italian resurgence.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side claimed a 2-1 victory in the first leg of the quarter-final at the San Siro in Milan on Thursday and finished the job in the return leg at Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park.
Donnarumma, already responsible for conceding a penalty—converted by Germany captain Joshua Kimmich after Alessandro Buongiorno fouled Tim Kleindienst—was at fault for a calamitous second goal.
After tipping Kleindienst’s header over the bar, the Italian keeper inexplicably wandered about eight yards off his line, seemingly arguing with the referee or his teammates.
Germany took full advantage as Kimmich delivered a quick corner from the right, allowing Jamal Musiala to fire into the unguarded net with Donnarumma stranded.
That goal extended Germany’s aggregate lead to 4-1, and just before half-time, it became 5-1.
Italy’s attempt to play out from the back backfired, and Kleindienst capitalized, heading in from Kimmich’s cross for his skipper’s third goal involvement of the night.
Despite the deficit, Italy fought back strongly in the second half. Former Everton striker Moise Kean pulled two goals back, first with a precise finish into the bottom corner and then after being set up by Giacomo Raspadori.
In the fifth minute of injury time, Italy made it 3-3 on the night when Maximilian Mittelstädt was penalized for handball, allowing Raspadori to convert from the spot.
That brought the aggregate score to 5-4, but Italy fell just short of forcing extra time.
This marks Germany’s first-ever appearance in the Nations League semi-finals, where they will face either Denmark or Portugal in June.
By advancing, Germany secures a spot in World Cup Qualifying Group A alongside Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, and Slovakia, while Italy will compete in Group I with Estonia, Israel, Moldova, and Norway.
