Germany secured their first-ever UEFA Nations League semi-final berth after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Italy in Dortmund, progressing 5-4 on aggregate despite nearly surrendering a three-goal lead.
Already holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Germany came out firing, with early chances from Maximilian Mittelstädt and Leon Goretzka testing Italy’s resolve.
The visitors struggled to get out of their own half, and Germany’s pressure paid off in the 30th minute when Alessandro Buongiorno brought down Tim Kleindienst in the box. Joshua Kimmich made no mistake from the penalty spot, coolly placing his shot into the bottom corner.
Minutes later, the Azzurri’s woes deepened as a quick-thinking Kimmich caught them off guard with a short corner to an unmarked Jamal Musiala, who tapped in easily. Germany’s dominance continued into stoppage time, with Kleindienst rising highest to head home Kimmich’s pinpoint cross, giving Julian Nagelsmann’s side a commanding 3-0 halftime lead.
However, complacency crept in after the break. A poor pass from Leroy Sané gifted Moise Kean a golden opportunity, which the Italian forward converted with a powerful shot at Oliver Baumann’s near post. Kean struck again moments later, curling in a brilliant effort from a Giacomo Raspadori assist to set up a tense final 20 minutes.
Italy thought they had a lifeline when a penalty was initially awarded, only for VAR to overturn the decision. But in stoppage time, another review ruled that Mittelstädt had handled the ball in the box, and Raspadori calmly slotted home the penalty.
Despite the late surge, the Azzurri couldn’t find the crucial fourth goal to force extra time.
The result extends Germany’s unbeaten streak against Italy to eight games and ensures they will host the final rounds of the tournament in Stuttgart and Munich this June.
With their first international trophy since 2017 in sight, Nagelsmann’s men will look to build on this momentum. Meanwhile, Italy, having failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, must regroup as they shift focus to their 2026 qualification campaign.
