Germany edge past Italy to reach UEFA Nations League Final Four
Germany are through to the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League Final Four after surviving a scare to beat Italy 5-4 on aggregate in a thrilling quarter-final tie.
Leading 2-1 after victory in the first leg in Milan, Germany looked to press home their advantage from the get-go. Leon Goretzka, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Jamal Musiala all fired off warning shots, before Leroy Sané forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into the first save of note with 27 minutes gone. Germany's next meaningful attack produced a penalty as Alessandro Buongiorno fouled Tim Kleindienst in the box, with Kimmich sinking the resultant spot-kick into the bottom corner to give the hosts a 3-1 aggregate advantage. Donnarumma made a fantastic save to stop Kleindienst adding a second, but was powerless to prevent Musiala turning in Kimmich's ensuing corner from inside the six-yard box. Kimmich was the provider for Germany's next effort, with Kleindienst applying the finishing touch, just as he had after coming off the bench in the first leg.
Italy were given a lifeline early in the second half when Moise Kean pounced on a loose ball from Sané and fired beyond Oliver Baumann from the edge of the penalty area. Mittelstädt returned fire with a shot on the turn that made Donnarumma work, but the Italians continued to make in-roads at the other end. After causing a few wobbles in the Germany rearguard, the Azzurri's persistance was rewarded as substitute Giacomo Raspadori set up Kean for a classy finish into the top corner. Giovanni Di Lorenzo thought he'd won a penalty following a foul by Nico Schlotterbeck, but the decision was overturned upon VAR review in a huge let-off for Germany. VAR ruled in Italy's favour in added time as Raspadori won and converted a penalty to level the scores on the night, but Julian Nagelsmann's side held on to advance on aggregate and set up a semi-final showdown with Portugal on 4 June.
Match stats
Germany are through to the Nations League Final Four for the first time.
Nagelsmann's team are unbeaten in eight matches since losing to Spain in extra-time of their UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final, winning six.
Kimmich earned his 100th cap - more than any player in the current Germany squad.
Kleindienst has scored four goals in six games for Germany.
The game was Nagelsmann's 21st as Germany head coach. His record reads: W12, D6, L3.
Germany have only lost one of 22 matches they have faced in Dortmund - against Italy in the FIFA 2006 World Cup semi-finals.
Nations League Quarter-final, second leg Quarter-final, second leg Signal Iduna Park
Full-time: Germany 3-3 Italy
What. A. Game. The tie looked to be dead and buried at half-time, thanks to Germany's supremely dominant first half performance. But Italy came out in the second half with a point to prove. An early Moise Kean goal lifted the visitors, which was consolidated further as the forward got another. There were some nerves at the end after Raspadori's late penalty brought them level, but Germany ultimately managed to hang on to their 5-4 aggregate win.
Another break opens up for Germany. Kleindienst drives down the left, and Groß is in acres of space on the right, but the Gladbach forward can't pick him out.
90'
+ 3
Corner to Italy
Barella takes it from the left, whipping in a dangerous ball, but Groß is there to clear.
90'
+ 2
Adeyemi looks to break
Italy commit men forward and Germany counter-attack. Adeyemi leads it, trying to use his pace to get in behind, but Bastoni snuffs out the danger.
90'
Added time
Six minutes are indicated.
89'
Kimmich fouled
Tempers threaten to boil over again after Zaccagni fouls Kimmich, but the referee is quickly on the scene to diffuse the tension.
Kimmich takes the subsequent corner, finding the debutant at the far post, whose header is just wide of the left post.
82'
Kimmich takes
The Bayern man hits a very clever free-kick, smashing it under the wall as they jump. Donnarumma reacts well after seeing it late to tip it wide and behind for a corner.
81'
Schlotterbeck tripped
Italian hearts were in mouths as Schlotterbeck drove Germany up the pitch before being brought down right on the edge of the box. The Germany players scream for a penalty, but the referee correctly awards a free-kick.
79'
Tempers flare
Both Kleindienst and Bastoni see yellow for an altercation following a Germany free-kick.
Nagelsmann opts to strengthen the defence, bringing on reinforcements in the form of Andrich and Bisseck, with the latter making his debut for Germany.
The referee goes to the monitor on the advice from the VAR, and after review, the penalty is rescinded.
73'
Penalty to Italy!
It is being checked, but Schlotterbeck is judged to have brought Di Lorenzo down in the box and so the referee points to the spot!
71'
Tails are up
Italy are brimming with confidence at the moment. Politano releases Raspadori with a really cheeky backheel, and the substitute looks to curl one into the top left corner, but his effort is just wide.
68'
Kean at the double!
There'll be some jangling German nerves in the crowd here in Dortmund. Raspadori has an instant impact off the bench, slipping it through for Kean, who beats his man on the edge of the box before curling a lovely finish into the top right corner and past the diving Baumann.
Italy break between the German backline. Politano storms down the right and looks to cross it into the path of Kean in the middle, but a Schlotterbeck at full stretch slides in to make the block. Italy can't make anything of the resultant corner.
Italy reenergised
Kean's goal early in the second half has lifted the visitors here in Dortmund.
Germany have a promising counter-attack with Musiala. He spots Sané on the far side and tries to pick him out, but Bastoni makes a vital block to put a stop to the attack.
55'
Mittelstädt!
A long ball through finds the wing-back. He tries to square it to Kleindienst, but it's deflected back to him. This time, he turns his man and opts to shoot, but his effort isn't powerful enough to trouble Donnarumma.
Germany's third
Kleindienst's header clearly crossed the line for the third goal of the game.
Italy have begun the second half really positively. Kean pounces on a loose ball from Sané, before smashing it into the bottom left corner past Baumann from the edge of the box. Great finish!
Italy get the ball rolling again for the second half here. The Azzurri make two changes as they chase the game: Frattesi and Politano replace Gatti and Maldini.
Germany absolutely blew Italy away in the first half here in Dortmund. They started off the better side, beginning the game on the front foot right away. Kimmich's penalty at the half-hour mark seemingly opened the floodgates, as the Germany captain then went on to make two assists for Musiala and Kleindienst in the next 15 minutes, as Germany tore their visitors apart. But, there's still 45 minutes to play here...
Germany are running riot here. Following a quick counterattack, Kimmich gets to the byline and chips it to the back post, where Kleindienst is waiting. The striker meets the header, and Donnarumma tries desperately to claw it off the line, but the referee blows his whistle to indicate it crossed. What a first half performance!
Musiala spins his marker about 25 yards from goal and drives forward. His attempt at slipping Kleindienst through comes straight back to him and this time he opts to shoot, dragging his effort narrowly wide.
41'
Free-kick
Kleindienst gives away a foul on the right touchline for Italy. Maldini swings it in and Germany head it out, but only as far as Tonali. The midfielder strikes a powerful shot, but it's well over.
37'
Musiala makes it two
What a strange goal! Kimmich rushes to take the corner that came after Kleindienst's header was saved, and the Italian defence completely switch off. Musiala is on the captain's wavelength, however, dispatching the quick corner first-time unmarked from inside the six-yard box. How easy was that?!
A whipped cross from the right comes into the middle to be met by the head of Kleindienst, who steers it goalwards. It looks as if it'll nestle in the top corner, but Donnarumma makes a fantastic save at full-stretch to deny him!
Kimmich celebrates
It was never in doubt after the Germany captain stepped up to take the penalty.
Captain Kimmich steps up to take the penalty and smashes it into the bottom left corner to open the scoring. The Bayern man has now been directly involved with all three of Germany's goals over both legs.
The Bayern winger links up well with Kimmich, playing a one-two, before unleashing a low shot from the edge of the box. Donnarumma anticipates it, however, getting down well to make the stop.
Musiala's effort
The Bayern midfielder has been a real livewire so far for Germany this evening.
This time it comes in from the right, and Italy deal with it more calmly than they had done with the earlier corners.
16'
Musiala shoots
Goretzka cuts it back from the byline to Musiala on the edge of the box, who hits a powerful shot, but it's deflected behind for another corner. Once again, the Kimmich-taken corner really troubles the Italian defence, but they manage to clear.
15'
Chaos
Germany are awarded a free-kick after an Italian handball high up on the left flank. Kimmich takes, floating a curled cross towards the far post. There's a brief instance of pinball around the box, with both German and Italian bodies flying at the ball, but eventually Italy clear.
14'
Finding their footing
After a lightning-fast start from Germany, Italy are starting to grow into this match, enjoying possession in defence and midfield. They have struggled to create many chances yet, though.
10'
Miscued
Schlotterbeck picks Kleindiesnt out with a deep ball from the left flank. The No. 9 leaps to meet it, but he gets the contact on the header all wrong, sending it will wide of the mark.
6'
Corner
Kleindienst is tackled down the left channel, winning a corner for his side. Kimmich takes an in-swinger from the left deep towards the back post, looking for Tah, but Italy get there first and manage to clear.
5'
First chance for Italy
Di Lorenzo breaks down the right flank for the visitors. He tries to lift a cross to Kean at the far post with a really dangerous cross, but Rüdiger is there to clear it behind for a corner, which Italy can't make anything of.
2'
Early pressure
Germany have started very quickly. Both Mittelstädt and Goretzka have had shots that have gone narrowly wide of the post. Italy will need to weather this early pressure, especially with the home crowd getting very much behind this Germany side.
1'
And we're off!
Following the minutes' silence to commemorate the late Doris Fitschen, it's Germany who get the game underway here in Dortmund.
Kick-off!
The visitors re-shuffle
Politano, Raspadori and Rovella revert to the bench, while Calafiori misses the game through injury. In come Buongiorno, Gatti, Ricci and Maldini.
More on those teams
Both sides make changes from the first leg. Like the second half of last week's meeting, it looks like Germany will almost mirror Italy's shape by playing with wing-backs. Schlotterbeck comes in to make up the back three, while Mittelstädt replaces Raum, Stiller replaces Groß and Kleindienst leads the attack in place of Burkardt.
Yann Bisseck is the only player from either squad to currently be playing in the other nation's domestic league. Nadiem Amiri (Genoa) and Antonio Rüdiger (Roma) have also previously played in Serie A, while none of the current Italy squad have played in the Bundesliga as of yet.
Landmark goal coming up
If Germany were to score today, it would be their 50th goal against Italy. The Italians have netted 54 times against Germany, winning 15 of the previous 38 fixtures. Germany have won ten of those games, with the other 13 being draws.
Black armbands in memory of Doris Fitschen
Doris Fitschen, who made 144 appearances for the women's national team before going on to coach the side between 2009 and 2016, passed away last Saturday at the age of 56. She won four European Championship titles with the German national team and bronze at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, and was inducted into German football's hall of fame in 2019. A minutes silence will be held before the game and the Germany team will wear black armbands to honour her.
Following his man of the match performance in the first leg, Leon Goretzka is expected to start once again in Dortmund. However, there are still plenty of places up for grabs elsewhere. Will Nico Schlotterbeck start following his impressive second half performance, and will Maximilian Mittelstädt get the nod over David Raum? Nadiem Amiri also played well last time out, and will hope to maintain his place in the starting lineup over Jamie Leweling or Karim Adeyemi.
Baumann on the home advantage
"The stadium can support a team and that's exactly what I hope for tomorrow, that the stadium helps us and makes things extremely difficult for the Italians."
Following the hosting of EURO 2024, Germany will once again have the chance to host an international tournament final. This comes after UEFA announced that the winner of the Germany-Italy tie will host the Nations League finals in June.
Burkardt to miss out?
Julian Nagelsmann announced that striker Jonathan Burkardt was absent from training on Saturday due to illness, and that they will assess his availability on the game day itself. The Mainz man started for Germany in the reverse leg, but if he is unavailable, Nagelsmann will have to look to make changes.
Julian Nagelsmann's thoughts on the first leg
"I'm pleased that we came back from 1-0 down. We want to win both games. The first half was tough; we barely got into our stride. We adjusted a bit at half-time, and the players who came on did well. I have to say that it's still 50-50, and that we have only played one match. We have one more goal, so we have a better chance of going through, but in Dortmund we will have to play as if we think it is still 0-0."
"At times [in the first leg] we were not in the rhythm of the game, while Germany were very consistent. Then we made a couple of wrong choices that we paid for dearly – especially when they found a free man in the box for the equaliser. Everyone knows that we concede too many goals from set pieces and we are working on it, but it's not easy against a team with so many tall, strong players. However, it should not become an issue for us."
The second leg will see Germany host Italy in Dortmund, which will not bring back happy memories for many Germany fans, as it was here that Italy knocked Germany out of the 2006 World Cup semi-finals to deny them a spot in the final on home soil, before the Azzurri went on to win the tournament themselves. Nagelsmann's men will no doubt be aware of this and will be looking to settle the scores (albeit to a lesser degree) with a win.
Advantage Germany
A 2-1 win on the road in Italy puts Germany in command of this tie and places them in pole position to book their place in the final four of the competition. Nobody will be talking about a job done with the one goal advantage, however, considering Italy's quality and how close the first leg contest was.
2:47
Watch: Leon Goretzka in resurgent form
It's been a difficult road back to the national team for Bayern's Goretzka, having not featured since November 2023. However, he has not disappointed on his return to the international set-up, after scoring the winner in the first leg against Italy.
Special edition jersey
You can read more about Germany's 125-year anniversary jersey here!
2:43
Watch: Tim Kleindienst - late into the limelight
Borussia Mönchengladbach's talisman changed the game in the first leg after coming off the bench at half-time to level the scores for Germany shortly after the restart. Was his second half performance enough to earn the forward a start in the second leg?
2:32
Watch: The best of Nadiem Amiri
The Mainz man was in the starting line-up for the first leg win over Italy after a hiatus of over four years away from the Germany squad. Will Julian Nagelsmann stick or twist on the midfielder for the second leg?
Welcome!
Thanks for joining for build-up and live coverage of Germany's UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg against Italy to be played at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park on Sunday.
Germany were dealt a blow inside the opening eight minutes when Sandro Tonali fired Jonathan Tah's attempted clearance past Oliver Baumann for the opening goal. The visitors began to find their groove as recalled midfielder Goretzka headed over from Bayern Munich teammate Joshua Kimmich, before warming the palms of Gianluigi Donnarumma from distance. Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt was next to try his luck, but his shot didn't really trouble the goalkeeper. Julian Nagelsmann's side were then indebted to Baumann for only going in 1-0 down at the break, after the Hoffenheim custodian repelled efforts from Tonali and Moise Kean.
Nagelsmann switched to a back three for the start of the second half, with Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck replacing RB Leipzig's David Raum. Tim Kleindienst was also introduced to dramatic effect, the Borussia Mönchengladbach striker heading in a Kimmich cross to level the scores within three minutes of the restart. Kimmich tested Donnarumma as Germany upped the ante, but Italy continue to pose a threat on the counter, with Kean blazing over and Giacomo Raspadori thwarted in a one-on-one with Baumann. Goretzka went close again, before heading in Kimmich's wicked corner to put Germany in control of the tie ahead of Sunday's second leg in Dortmund.
