Spectacular first half just enough for Germany against Italy

Germany secured their place in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Italy in Dortmund a result that, combined with their 2-1 win in the first leg in Milan, proved just enough to send Julian Nagelsmann’s side through.

It was a match of two starkly different halves: the first saw Germany at their clinical best, while the second was a tense affair dominated by a resurgent Italy that nearly completed a remarkable comeback.

The build-up to the match was steeped in history and symbolism. Italy had hosted the first leg at San Siro, and now Germany welcomed their old rivals to Dortmund a stadium still etched in the memories of many for Italy's extra-time win over Germany in the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup. That emotional backdrop only added to the stakes of an already intense international showdown.

From the first whistle, Germany took control, showing far more urgency and sharpness than they had in Milan. Julian Nagelsmann set his team up with an aggressive high press and dynamic midfield movement, and Italy struggled to keep up. Germany’s intent was clear, and the first half turned into a statement performance.

The opening goal arrived just after the 30-minute mark. A clever move down the left saw Tim Kleindienst brought down inside the box, and referee Clément Turpin didn’t hesitate to point to the spot. Joshua Kimmich, wearing the captain's armband, stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty past Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Germany a 1-0 lead and a two-goal advantage on aggregate.

That lead would soon double. Just minutes later, Kimmich demonstrated his footballing IQ with a moment of brilliance. While the Italian defense was still organizing after conceding a corner, Kimmich quickly played the ball short to Jamal Musiala. The Bayern Munich midfielder, completely unmarked, finished the move with confidence  the goal eerily similar to Divock Origi’s famous strike in Liverpool’s unforgettable Champions League comeback against Barcelona in 2019. The Italian players were stunned, and Germany’s momentum only grew.

The third goal came before the break, and again, Kimmich was at the heart of it. Allowed far too much space inside the box, he delivered a pinpoint cross to Kleindienst, who had been a constant threat in the air. This time, the striker made no mistake, sending a powerful header past Donnarumma. Although the Italian keeper got a hand to it, the ball had clearly crossed the line. At 3-0, Germany looked unstoppable, and Italy looked lost.

But football often defies expectations, and Italy came out after halftime with a completely different attitude. Just moments into the second half, they got a goal back somewhat ironically, with Kimmich involved again, but this time as the unfortunate culprit. After receiving a poor pass from Leroy Sané, Kimmich’s heavy touch redirected the ball into the path of Moise Kean, who made no mistake in sliding it past Marc-André ter Stegen to make it 3-1.

The goal gave Italy new life, and they began to grow in confidence. Their passing became crisper, their movement more dangerous, and the German defense which had looked so assured in the first half began to show signs of vulnerability. Kean, who had been largely anonymous in the first leg, became the focal point of the Italian attack, constantly testing the German backline with his speed and power.

In the 67th minute, Kean struck again. After receiving the ball just outside the area, he unleashed a rocket of a shot that flew past Ter Stegen into the top corner. It was a stunning goal and suddenly the tie was alive again at 3-2, with Italy needing just one more to force extra time.

Germany, rattled by the sudden shift in momentum, struggled to regain composure. Nagelsmann made several substitutions to stabilize the midfield and tighten up the defense, but the match had turned into a frenetic, open-ended battle. Italy thought they had a golden opportunity when the referee pointed to the spot after a handball in the box. However, a lengthy VAR review overturned the decision, much to the frustration of the Italian players and coaching staff.

That decision seemed to drain the last of Italy’s belief. Despite pushing forward in the closing stages, they were unable to find the equalizer that would have sent the match to extra time. Germany, though far less convincing in the second half, managed to hold on  their first-half brilliance ultimately the difference.

Julian Nagelsmann will be pleased with the qualification but aware of the warning signs. While his side showed moments of excellence, particularly through Kimmich and Musiala, the defensive collapse after halftime will raise concerns ahead of the semi-finals. For Italy, the second-half fightback will offer some consolation, but the damage was done in the opening 45 minutes a period where they simply couldn’t cope with Germany’s tempo, precision, and intelligence.