Germany triumphed over Italy with a stunning 3-2 victory during the second leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals held in Dortmund on March 23, 2025. This win solidified Germany's place in the tournament, giving them an aggregate score of 5-3, thanks to their pivotal 2-1 win in the first leg just days prior.
The atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park was electric as both teams took to the pitch, fully aware of the stakes involved. Germany, having emerged victorious from previous encounters and armed with the confidence of their recent win, were determined to assert their dominance once more. Julian Nagelsmann's men quickly set the pace of the match, exhibiting tactical superiority from the onset.
It didn't take long for Germany to strike first. Midfielder Joshua Kimmich, showing his precise skill, converted a penalty in the first half that put the home team ahead. Kimmich's shot to the bottom left corner was impeccably placed, leaving Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with no chance of stopping it. This goal heralded a flurry of activity that demonstrated the supremacy of the German side, which continued to press forward aggressively.
Soon after, Jamal Musiala doubled Germany's lead with a well-executed goal, harnessing a corner taken by Kimmich. Musiala capitalized on a brief lapse in the Italian defense, netting a goal that would prove critical in the context of the overall tie. Just before the halftime whistle, Tim Kleindienst added another tally for Germany, securing a commanding 3-0 lead. His header showcased his aerial prowess, confirming Germany's offensive dominance throughout the half.
As the teams retreated for halftime, Italy found themselves in dire straits, trailing 3-0. They needed a remarkable turnaround in the second half to salvage their hopes of advancing. Coach Luciano Spalletti sought to reinvigorate his squad, replacing Ricci and Kean with Lucca and Zaccagni in an attempt to enhance their attacking options.
The second half saw a shift in momentum as Italy began to press harder. Despite their aggressive approach, the Italian side was initially met with stiff resistance from Germany's well-organized defense. An early chance for Italy was thwarted as Bisseck nearly scored a header from a corner that went just wide.
Then came the dramatic moment when Italy was awarded a penalty — a decision that was initially overturned following a VAR check. After much deliberation, a second penalty was awarded to Italy when Nico Schlotterbeck brought down Giovanni Di Lorenzo in the box. This time, Italy capitalized on the opportunity, with Moise Kean netting a well-deserved goal, giving Italy renewed hope and narrowing Germany's lead to 3-1.
With Italy finding their rhythm, the match intensified. Just minutes later, Kean struck again, firing a powerful shot that left German goalkeeper Oliver Baumann no chance. Suddenly, with the score standing at 3-2, hopes of a thrilling Italian comeback surged through the stadium as they only needed one more goal to push the match into a more tense territory.
Germany, aware of their precarious position, sought to regain control and prevent further lapses in concentration. Kimmich and his team rallied, making key substitutions, including introducing Nadiem Amiri, Karim Adeyemi, and Pascal Groß, aiming to stabilize their lead.
Despite Italy's late attempts to force the issue and capitalize on chances created by Zaccagni and Raspadori, it was too little too late. The match ended with Germany triumphing 3-2, solidifying their aggregate 5-3 lead and a spot in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League.
In the aftermath, coach Julian Nagelsmann expressed his satisfaction, stating, "I am especially happy that we came back from 0-1 and won the game," referencing their comeback in the first leg. Meanwhile, the defeat prompted questions regarding the future of Spalletti’s management of the Azzurri, who will need to rebound from this disappointment to regain their place among Europe's elite.
The next round of the UEFA Nations League will be an exciting opportunity for Germany, who could potentially host the final four, while Italy faces a critical juncture, needing to reassess and regroup in the wake of their early exit from the tournament.
