In a thrilling encounter in Dortmund, Italy staged a dramatic comeback but ultimately fell short, drawing 3-3 with Germany in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final. Despite the fightback, Italy was eliminated on aggregate with a 5-4 loss following their defeat in the first leg.

The match started poorly for the Azzurri, who found themselves down 3-0 at halftime due to a series of defensive errors. Joshua Kimmich opened the scoring with a penalty after a foul by Alessandro Buongiorno, followed by a goal from Jamal Musiala, who capitalized on a quick corner taken by Kimmich. The Germans added a third just before the break when Tim Kleindienst’s header crossed the line, marking the first time Italy conceded three goals in the first half since 2009.

Italy regrouped after halftime, and Moise Kean ignited their hopes with a powerful strike just four minutes into the second half. He followed up with a second goal in the 69th minute, showcasing impressive composure as he cut inside and found the net. Despite their resurgence, Italy faced another setback when a penalty awarded to them was overturned after a VAR review.

As the match reached stoppage time, Italy earned a lifeline with a penalty converted by Giacomo Raspadori, bringing the aggregate score to 5-4. However, it was too little, too late for the Azzurri, who exited the tournament despite a valiant effort. The match highlighted Italy's defensive frailties and the need for improvement as they prepare for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

With the defeat, Italy's coach Luciano Spalletti will need to address these issues urgently, as the team looks to bounce back from this disappointing exit.