Germany through to Nations League semi-finals after edging out Italy in thriller

Joshua Kimmich produced another influential display but Germany had to survive a second-half comeback from Italy to progress into the Nations League semi-finals with a dramatic 5-4 aggregate victory.

Germany held a 2-1 advantage after the first leg and struck three times during the first 45 minutes in Dortmund to take complete control of the tie.

Kimmich’s 30th-minute penalty broke the deadlock before his smart quick corner caught Italy cold to set up Jamal Musiala and another assist for Tim Kleindienst ensured it was 3-0 at half-time.

Italy staged a remarkable comeback with Moise Kean scoring twice before Giacomo Raspadori struck a stoppage-time penalty to make it 3-3 on the night.

However, Germany’s narrow first-leg lead was enough to send Julian Nagelsmann’s team through to the last four on a night of celebration at Signal Iduna Park.

This fixture marked the 125th anniversary of the German Football Association (DFB) and after a tifo to celebrate the milestone was unveiled before kick-off, Germany almost responded with a goal.

Maximilian Mittelstadt fired wide within a minute of kick-off and Leon Goretzka, who grabbed a late winner in the first leg, sent another effort off target 60 seconds later.

Further opportunities were created by the hosts, including a frantic goalmouth scramble after quarter of an hour, but Italy survived.

A yellow card for Federico Gatti for a pull on Musiala highlighted the growing frustration in the away camp and it eventually contributed towards the opener.

Kleindienst was brought down in the penalty area by Alessandro Buongiorno and Kimmich fired home after 30 minutes.

It was 2-0 six minutes later and in shambolic fashion for Italy, especially goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Donnarumma produced an impressive save to push Kleindienst’s header over, but while he dished out instructions to his team-mates, Kimmich took a quick corner and found Musiala, who tapped into the empty net.

Remonstrations followed but to no avail and Germany grabbed a third goal on the verge of half-time when Kimmich set up Kleindienst to head home.

Italy boss Luciano Spalletti responded with Gatti and Daniel Maldini withdrawn at the break, which was followed by the visitors being able to reduce the deficit.

A poor pass by Leroy Sane put Kimmich in trouble and Kean took full advantage to fire past Oliver Baumann in the 49th minute.

Sane was replaced in a triple substitution by Nagelsmann soon after, but it failed to stem the tide as Italy made it 3-2 with 21 minutes left in Dortmund.

Italy substitute Raspadori made an instant impact with a fine through-ball to Kean, who checked back impressively and curled into the bottom corner to set up a grandstand finish.

Three minutes later and the comeback was almost complete when Giovanni Di Lorenzo was caught in the area and the visitors were awarded a spot-kick.

VAR was asked to review the incident and replays showed Nico Schlotterbeck did get a faint touch on the ball with the penalty decision overturned.

It failed to prevent a dramatic finale as after a catalogue of chances, a handball by Mittelstadt handed Italy a stoppage-time penalty, which Raspadori converted to level the scores, although Germany had just done enough to progress into the semi-finals.