Gianluigi Donnarumma caught out by quick-thinking Germans as Julian Nagelsmann’s side edge thrilling Nations League quarter-final on dramatic night across Europe
- Germany drew 3-3 with Italy to win the quarter-final 5-4 on aggregate
- Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and the entire defence were caught napping
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Germany capitalised on a distracted Italy team with the help of a quick-thinking ballboy during Sunday’s dramatic 3-3 draw in the Nations league quarter-finals.
The result was enough to earn 5-4 aggregate victory in the tie and set up a Nations League semi-final against Portugal in June.
The Germans, who won the first leg 2-1, shot out of the blocks and opened their account with Joshua Kimmich’s 30th minute penalty.
Before the Italians had time to recover, Germany struck again, catching keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and the entire defence napping with a quickly taken Kimmich corner for unmarked Jamal Musiala to slot in their second in the 36th minute.
The Italians were still discussing among themselves when 15-year-old debutant ball boy Noel Urbaniack speedily threw the ball back for Kimmich to take the corner. The teenager was given a ball signed by the German team after the game.
Tim Kleindienst added a third on the stroke of halftime with a close-range header from yet another Kimmich assist and another defensive error by the visitors as the hosts looked to be cruising to a comfortable win.
Germany took a corner quickly while the Italy players were complaining to the referee
Bayern’s Jamal Musiala had the simple task of putting the ball into the empty Italy goal
It was Kimmich’s fourth assist over the two legs but it would not be enough for victory with the Italians pouncing on a German mistake to hit back four minutes after the restart through Moise Kean.
With the Germans a shadow of their earlier selves, Kean then beat defender Jonathan Tah in the 69th minute to make it 3-2.
Italy drew on the night with Giacomo Raspadori’s stoppage-time penalty but could not find another goal to level the tie on aggregate.
They will face Portugal next after Cristiano Ronaldo and co came through an equally action-packed second leg against Denmark.
Francisco Trincao came off the bench to score twice and Cristiano Ronaldo also netted as they beat Denmark 5-2 after extra time for a 5-3 aggregate win.
France overturned a two-goal deficit to qualify for the Nations League Final Four by eliminating Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a 2-0 victory in their quarter-final second leg at the Stade de France on Sunday.
Dayot Upamecano scored the winning spot kick in a nail-biting shootout in which France keeper Mike Maignan made two saves, sending Les Bleus into the semi-finals against Spain.
Musiala celebrates after his moment of quick-thinking helped double his side’s lead
Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma looked dejected after he was caught napping in Dortmund
Spain beat the Netherlands 5-4 on penalties at home on Sunday to reach the Nations League semi-finals after the second leg of their thrilling contest ended 3-3.
After a see-saw tie ended 5-5 on aggregate, the teams could not be separated through the first three rounds of a tense shootout, before both sides missed their fourth penalties.
Yet the decisive blow was landed in the sixth round when the Netherlands’ Donyell Malen saw his attempt saved by Spain keeper Unai Simon, allowing Pedri to convert and secure the win.
