Audio By Carbonatix
Germany took advantage of Italian errors - including a bizarre mistake from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma - to move into the semi-finals of the Nations League, despite a late Italy fightback.
Julian Nagelsmann's side won 2-1 in the first leg of the quarter-final at the San Siro in Milan on Thursday and completed the job in the second leg at Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park.
Having already conceded a penalty, scored by Germany captain Joshua Kimmich after Tim Kleindienst had been fouled by Alessandro Buongiorno, Donnarumma was at fault for an embarrassing second.
He tipped Kleindienst's header over the bar but then went to remonstrate with either the referee or his team-mates and walked about eight yards off his line.
Germany capitalised through Kimmich's quickly-taken corner from the right, which was swept into the unguarded goal by Jamal Musiala with Donnarumma out of position.
That made the score 4-1 on aggregate and it became 5-1 just before half-time when Italy lost possession when playing out from the back with Kleindienst heading in from Kimmich's cross, for the skipper's third goal involvement of the night.
But the tie was not over as Italy dominated the second half.
Former Everton striker Moise Kean pulled two goals back for Italy, firstly with a clinical 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 as Maximilian Mittelstadt was judged to have handled the ball, with Raspadori scoring the penalty.
That made it 5-4 to Germany on aggregate but Italy could not find another goal that would have taken the tie to extra-time.
This is the fourth staging of the Nations League and Germany have made the semi-finals for the first time where they will host Portugal in June.
Through winning this quarter-final, Germany will be placed into World Cup Qualifying Group A, along with Luxembourg, Northern Ireland and Slovakia, while Italy will be in Group I with Estonia, Israel, Moldova and Norway.
Latest Stories
-
Attendance at trial is a constitutional duty, not an option
1 hour -
RTI response raises questions over Bryan Acheampong’s military service claims
1 hour -
Two women granted bail over assault of 12-year-old; another remanded
1 hour -
Ghana’s IMF programme extension to August 2026 was to allow more time for final review work – IMF
2 hours -
No records of Bryan Acheampong’s enlistment and release from the US Army – Parliament says in RTI response
2 hours -
Daasebre Osei Bonsu III swears oath of allegiance to Asantehene and pledges unity and development for Asante Mampong
2 hours -
We had fruitful deliberations with private transport operators – Transport Minister
2 hours -
45-year-old farmer jailed 15 years for sexually abusing 14-year-old niece
2 hours -
Lawrence Ofori joins Casa Pia after mutually parting ways with Moreirense
2 hours -
Brazil have talent for World Cup, but victory not guaranteed – ESPN’s Bertozzi
3 hours -
NPP race: Don’t waste your vote, Bawumia is winning – Annoh-Dompreh to NPP delegates
3 hours -
NDC still brought Mahama even when he lost by over one million votes – Annoh-Dompreh to NPP
3 hours -
Ofori-Atta becoming a ‘brave coward’ – Franklin Cudjoe backs Arise Ghana protest
3 hours -
Trump links Greenland threat to Nobel Peace Prize snub, EU prepares to retaliate
3 hours -
More than 160 churchgoers kidnapped in twin Nigeria attacks – Clergy
3 hours
