GERMANY starting XI (3-4-2-1): Baumann, Kimmich, Rudiger (subbed for Bisseck), Tah, Schlotterbeck, Stiller (subbed for Gross), Goretzka (subbed for Amiri), Sané (subbed for Adeyemi), Musiala (subbed for Andrich), Mittelstadt, Kleindienst
Bench: Nubel, Ortega, Koch, Burkardt, Undav, Leweling, Raum
Goals: Kimmich 30’ (Pen), Musiala 36’, Kleindienst 45’
ITALY starting XI (3-5-2): Donnarumma, Gatti (subbed for Politano), Buongiorno, Bastoni, Di Lorenzo, Barella, Ricci (subbed for Zaccagni), Tonali (subbed for Raspadori), Udogie,
Maldini (subbed for Frattesi), Kean (subbed for Lucca)
Bench: Meret, Vicario, Bellanova, Comuzzo, Rovella, Ruggeri, Casadei
Goals: Kean 49’ 69’, Raspadori 90+5’ (Pen)
In a way, drawing this two-legged match stings even more for Italy because of a nightmare first half in which Spalletti’s men were overwhelmed by a fierce German side that ruthlessly exploited every mistake.
The final score, after going into halftime 3-0 down, sends Germany through to the Nations League semis, while Italy is headed for a five-team World Cup qualifying group featuring Norway.
If the Italy of the first half shows up again, things will be very tough. Spalletti must cling to his team’s second-half reaction and the controversy surrounding a penalty awarded and then revoked by VAR.
But what stands out most is Germany’s second goal; a truly bizarre moment as Musiala scored while Donnarumma stood shouting at his teammates.
Spalletti is left to reflect on a night of two halves: 45 minutes of utter domination by the opposition, followed by a fightback riddled with mistakes.
From the outset, the match had a clear direction. Germany pressed Italy ferociously when building out from the back, winning countless balls and, once they had possession, their first-touch passing was quick and dizzying for Italy.
Only two minutes in, Goretzka fired just wide from outside the box after a quick one-two. In the 4th minute, Italy launched a rare attack; a long ball picking out Di Lorenzo, whose cross nearly caused Tah to score an own goal.
But it was a false dawn. Germany smothered every Italian attempt to play as Tonali and Ricci vanished.
Musiala had another chance in the 16th minute after Italy coughed up possession, but his shot was blocked.
Ten minutes later, Sané’s left-footed shot (following 33 one-touch passes by his teammates) was saved. Nagelsmann’s side was in complete control.
It the 29th minute, the dam broke. A German counter saw Goretzka play Kleindienst through, who was tugged down by Buongiorno for a penalty. Kimmich buried it past Donnarumma.
This didn’t trigger any Italian reaction; if anything, it energised the Germans. Then came the stunning moment in the 36th minute: while all the Italians paused to listen to their keeper’s complaints after conceding a corner, Kimmich took it quickly and found Musiala unmarked in front of an empty goal.
Just before the break, the third German goal arrived. It was another header, this time from Kleindienst, as Italy looked like a boxer flat on the canvas.
Spalletti tried to revive his side with changes: Politano for Gatti, Frattesi for Maldini and shifting to a back four.
Frattesi immediately got into the action and in the 50th minute, Kean pounced on a German defensive error and rifled in a left-footer from the edge of the box to make it 3–1.
Kean’s second goal came in the 69th minute, this time set up by substitute Raspadori. Kean beat German defender Tah to the ball and slotted it home to make it 3–2.
Things could’ve flipped completely in the 73rd minute when Di Lorenzo went down in the area after contact from Schlotterbeck. The referee pointed to the spot but, after a VAR review, changed his mind.
The bittersweet equaliser arrived deep in injury time through a penalty awarded for a handball. It was coolly converted by Raspadori to make it 3-3 on the night, but 5-4 on aggregate.
ANSA
