DORTMUND, Germany – Joshua Kimmich shine brightly as e score one goal and assist two more, helping Germany survive a close match against Italy in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, winning 5-4 on aggregate.
Di match took place at Signal Iduna Park on Sunday night, and e no be for the faint-hearted as both teams bring their A-game. After a slim 2-1 victory in di first leg, Germany go into di second leg with hope wey dem fit secure a place for di tournament’s Final Four.
Kimmich opened di scoring on 30 minutes after Tim Kleindienst won a penalty when he was fouled by Alessandro Buongiorno. Di Bayern Munich star stepped up and coolly slotted di kick into di bottom corner, pushing Germany’s aggregate score to 3-1.
Just six minutes later, e assisted Jamal Musiala, who rode di wave of momentum to turn in Kimmich’s corner from inside di six-yard box, making it 2-0 for di night.
Di third goal come before half-time, again with Kimmich providing another assist for Kleindienst, as Germany dominated di first half in a style and scored three goals in quick succession. Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma tried to hold dem back but was largely powerless as German attackers sliced through his defense.
Come di second half, Italy no wan give up. Moise Kean pulled one back for Italy in di 49th minute after pouncing on a loose ball and firing a shot over Oliver Baumann from di edge of di box. E follow this up with another goal in di 69th minute, showing skill and precision to curl a fantastic finish into di top corner.
Italy tiki-taka style gave dem more confidence, and Giovanni Di Lorenzo thought he had won a penalty after a challenge from Nico Schlotterbeck, but VAR review overturned di decision. Den late drama ensued as Raspadori won and netted a penalty from a handball call against Mittelstädt, leveling di score for di night at 3-3.
Julian Nagelsmann, Germany coach, commented on di tension: “We showed resilience today. Italy kept pressing, but we held on in di end to secure our aggregate win.”
Di victory means Germany join di likes of Spain and Portugal in di semi-finals, scheduled for June 4. Di game served as both a thrilling match and a stark reminder of di storied rivalry between two footballing giants.
In di aftermath, Germany will be looking forward to continuing their strong form as dey prepare for di finals, already adjusting tactics to build on their success against Italy.
