On March 23, 2025, Italy faced Germany in a crucial UEFA Nations League quarter-final match held at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, where the stakes were immensely high. The Italian team, the reigning European champions from 2021, needed a victory to advance to the semi-finals after suffering a 2-1 loss in the first leg just a few days prior. They entered the match keen on redemption, but were instead met with a formidable German side determined to secure their first-ever appearance in the nations league finals.
The match got off to a rocky start for the Italians when, in the 30th minute, German captain Joshua Kimmich converted a penalty kick following a foul on Tim Kleindienst. This early lead set the tone for the rest of the match, putting Italy on the defensive. Kimmich, not only the face behind the penalty, also played a pivotal role just minutes later by taking a quick corner that caught the Italian defense off guard, enabling Jamal Musiala to score the second goal unmarked in the 36th minute.
As if that wasn’t enough, just before halftime, German center-back Nico Schlotterbeck found the ball 30 meters from the Italian goal. His cross met Kleindienst, who netted another header, leaving Italy reeling at 3-0 by the halftime whistle.
Italy, however, is no stranger to comebacks. The second half saw them putting up a fierce fight. Moise Kean sparked hope among the visiting fans when he scored his first goal just four minutes after the break. The Fiorentina forward showed great persistence in front of goal, exploiting a defensive lapse to slot the ball home and put Italy on the board.
Kean's second goal in the 69th minute further amplified Italy's hopes of mounting a remarkable comeback. In a spellbinding display, he deceived Jonathan Tah with skillful footwork in the box before slotting the ball past German goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. As the clock ticked down, the Italian fans could sense a revival.
Despite the pressure and intensity, when it seemed all hope was lost for Germany, with just seconds remaining, Italy was awarded a penalty. Giacomo Raspadori placed the ball on the spot and scored with a confident strike in the 95th minute, making the scoreline a nail-biting 3-3. The Italian bench erupted with ecstasy and the players pushed desperately to find a winner in stoppage time.
However, Germany held on until the final whistle, successfully qualifying for their first UEFA Nations League finals, surviving a tumultuous second half rally by the Italian side. As the match concluded, manager Julian Nagelsmann expressed relief at his team's resilience.
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, showcasing the passion and dedication of both teams. German fans celebrated their team's historic achievement while the Italian supporters, although disappointed, applauded their team's fierce effort and fighting spirit.
Germany will now face Portugal in the semi-finals scheduled for June 4, 2025, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, followed by another semifinal on June 5, paving the way for the finals on June 8. With this win, Germany aims to solidify its resurgence on the international football stage after months of setbacks.
With the ongoing developments in international football, Italy must prepare rapidly for their future matches in a challenging qualifier group against Norway, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova, starting this June.
