In a thrilling return leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, held on March 24, 2025, Germany faced Italy in a match that lived up to its high-stakes billing. Having secured a 2-1 victory in the first leg, Germany approached the match at home in Dortmund with confidence. The first half saw an electrifying performance by the home side, which culminated in a 3-0 lead before halftime.
Joshua Kimmich opened the scoring for Germany with a penalty in the 30th minute. The goal came after a controversial incident that saw Maximilian Mittelstadt suspected of handling the ball in the penalty area, which the referee awarded after consulting VAR. Kimmich stepped up to take the kick, displaying composure under pressure and putting Germany ahead.
The German dominance continued just six minutes later, when Kimmich assisted Jamal Musiala's goal, doubling the lead to 2-0 in the 36th minute. The visitors were caught off guard as Kimmich executed a quick corner, which led to Musiala finding the back of the net with ease while Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was still out of position. Tim Kleindienst further extended the advantage just before the break, heading in the third goal in stoppage time to leave Germany leading 3-0 at halftime.
However, the second half took a dramatic turn. Italy, realizing they had nothing to lose, pushed for goals and quickly made their intentions clear when Moise Kean pulled one back for the Azzurri in the 49th minute. Kean's quick response reinvigorated Italy's hopes and shifted the momentum in their favor.
The excitement continued to build throughout the half as Kean scored again in the 69th minute, bringing the score to 3-2. Germany’s defense, once rock solid, began to falter under Italy's increased pressure.
As the clock ticked down, the tension reached its peak when, in the dying moments of the match, Giacomo Raspadori converted a penalty after another VAR check awarded Italy a spot kick in the 90+5 minute. This late goal leveled the match at 3-3, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Despite the draw, Germany progressed to the semi-finals with an aggregate score of 5-4 over both legs. Their victory was a testament to their grit and determination, especially after a shaky second half.
One remarkable storyline from the match was the impact of a 15-year-old ball boy named Noel Urbaniack, who momentarily became the center of attention. Urbaniack's quick thinking to deliver the ball to Kimmich for a rapid corner in the 36th minute played a crucial role in helping Germany score their second goal. After the match, Urbaniack received a signed ball from the German team as a token of appreciation. "I can’t believe it. I have never been involved in something like this before," Urbaniack said. "We had a moment of eye contact. I saw him (Kimmich) wanting the ball, so I quickly threw it to him. This is my first time being a ball boy.”
As the dust settled on this nail-biting encounter, Germany's victory set up a semi-final clash against Portugal, who had dispatched Denmark 5-3 on aggregate to join them. The dates for the semi-finals are set for June, with the matches to be played in Germany.
This match illustrated the true spirit of European football, where not only the players but also young enthusiasts contribute to the drama on the pitch. With Germany's advance to the semi-finals, attention now turns to their upcoming match against the formidable Portuguese team, as they aim to continue their march towards glory in the Nations League.
