UEFA Nations league : Portugal & Germany win to set up SF clash

 


Germany secured their first-ever place in the UEFA Nations League finals after a dramatic quarter-final battle in Dortmund, fending off an Italian comeback despite a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.

Joshua Kimmich, who had provided both assists in the first leg, was once again instrumental. After an intense start to the second leg, the German captain extended his side’s advantage from the penalty spot following a foul by Alessandro Buongiorno on towering striker Tim Kleindienst.

Kleindienst, who had scored with his very first touch as a substitute in Milan, was denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma soon after, but Kimmich’s quick thinking on the resulting corner allowed Jamal Musiala to find space and finish clinically at the near post.

Donnarumma produced another brilliant save, but he could do nothing to stop Kleindienst’s close-range header just before the break, making it 3-0 on the night. However, Italy refused to let their hopes of a third consecutive finals appearance fade.

Moise Kean sparked the comeback by blasting home four minutes into the second half. The Fiorentina forward then added a second, skillfully weaving past Jonathan Tah before finding the net.

Italy’s pressure intensified when Kleindienst was penalized for handball in stoppage time, allowing Giacomo Raspadori to convert a 95th-minute penalty and bring the visitors within touching distance of a stunning recovery.

Despite late waves of Italian attacks, Germany held firm, securing their spot in the final four and ensuring they will host the tournament’s decisive matches.

Meanwhile, Portugal also booked their place in the UEFA Nations League finals after a tense extra-time victory over Denmark in Lisbon, with substitute Francisco Trincão proving the hero with two crucial goals at the Estádio José Alvalade.

The hosts started brightly and quickly won a penalty after Cristiano Ronaldo was fouled in the box. The Portugal captain stepped up to take it but saw his effort saved by Kasper Schmeichel, mirroring Diogo Costa’s penalty stop in the first leg.

Unfazed, Roberto Martínez’s team kept up the pressure, with Ronaldo testing Schmeichel again soon after. Their breakthrough finally came in the 38th minute when Joachim Andersen accidentally headed Bruno Fernandes’ corner into his own net.

Denmark responded in the second half, equalizing through Rasmus Kristensen’s back-post header from a corner. Portugal regained the lead through Ronaldo, who converted after Fernandes’ powerful shot deflected into his path.

However, Denmark hit back almost immediately, with Patrick Dorgu setting up Christian Eriksen for a simple finish at the back post. Just when the match seemed destined for extra time, Trincão delivered in the 86th minute, smashing home a bouncing ball to restore Portugal’s advantage.

Trincão then struck again early in extra time to give Portugal their first outright lead of the tie, before fellow substitute Gonçalo Ramos sealed the win in the 115th minute, ensuring Portugal’s place in the final four where they will meet Germany. 


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