Gary Lineker’s quote that football is the game in which the Germans always win has never been so accurate! Italy had the lead at the break thanks to Sandro Tonali’s ninth-minute opener, but Julian Nagelsmann’s men refused to give up.Tim Kleindienst got the chance at the break and levelled after only three minutes, and Leon Goretzka rose high above the Azzurri’s defence in the 76th minute, netting the winner and completing Germany’s fascinating comeback at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza – 2-1!✅ Tim Kleindienst gets his third goal in five matches for Germany ⚽️⚽️⚽️✅ Leon Goretzka scores for the national team after 1,366 days to complete the comeback 👏🇩🇪Job done in Italy 🇮🇹🤝#ITAGER #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/AU9zRoXEQU— DW Sports (@dw_sports) March 20, 2025 Even though the Germans controlled the game before the break, having a significant possession advantage, the Azzurri were way more concrete, which paid them off after only nine minutes.Matteo Politano got an excellent through ball and tried to find Moise Kean. Jonathan Tah intercepted that pass but reacted poorly, passing the ball to Sandro Tonali, who found the net with a precise effort, as Bayer Leverkusen’s central defender practically noted an assist!On the other hand, Germany threatened only through set pieces, but neither their four corner kicks nor Jamal Musiala’s free-kick attempt “worried” Gianluigi Donnarumma.Sunday – a key fixture for Newcastle Utd as they win their 1st major trophy for 70 years 🏆Thursday – scores his second international goal for Italy 🇮🇹What a week for Sandro Tonali 🤩 pic.twitter.com/fsNl5M40Gy— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 20, 2025 Dissatisfied Julian Nagelsmann decided to replace the striker Jonathan Burkardt with Tim Kleindienst and Borussia Monchengladbach net-buster thanked him with a levelled only three minutes upon entering the pitch, sending Joshua Kimmich’s ideal cross into the net with a header!Consecutive minutes – 67th and 68th – brought two decent chances to the Azzurri but Giacomo Raspadori and Kean weren’t precise enough to score past German custodian Oliver Baumann. However, it was only the introduction into Die Mannschaft’s complete comeback, since ten minutes later, Germany took the lead!Once again, a header was lethal for Italy, Kimmich assisted once more, only this time from a corner, which Leon Goretzka turned into a goal with a marvellous header, netting a goal for the national team after 1,366 days – 2-1!That moment stunned the home team, which failed to wake up and salvage at least a draw. Given that Die Mannschaft managed to win in Milan, Italy will have a tough task triumphing in Germany on Sunday. At the moment, the Azzurri are on the verge of relegation.##NAJAVA_MECA_8790107##Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. will have to do a much better job if they want to survive in the A league of the UEFA Nations League! Tonight, they were crushed by Denmark, and only thanks to Diogo Costa did they not suffer a more convincing defeat – 1-0.Fireworks in Rotterdam, Croatia’s new revenge for 2018The Navigators’ keeper saved Christian Eriksen’s penalty in the 24th minute but couldn’t do anything against Rasmus Hojlund’s winner twelve minutes before the break. Portugal were pretty pale and will have to wake up quickly before Sunday’s return leg, or they’ll be surprisingly relegated.RASMUS HOJLUND COMES OFF THE BENCH TO GIVE DENMARK THE LEAD VS. PORTUGAL 🔥HE HIT THE “SIUUU” IN FRONT OF RONALDO 😳 pic.twitter.com/FvOoe0jwZ1— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 20, 2025 Halfway through the first half fireworks in Copenhagen started, but didn’t bring goals before the break. The first opportunity was at the same time the best one, as Christian Eriksen wasted a penalty in the 24th minute, allowing Diogo Costa to stop his strike.ERIKSEN MISSES THE PENALTY FOR DENMARK!!!! 🤯🤯🤭Denmark 0-0 Portugal #wcq2026#weare26 pic.twitter.com/DZexgKihx1— FOOTBALL TODAY (@FootballtodayPR) March 20, 2025 Man United’s midfielder had another decent attempt minutes before the break, as well as Monaco’s wonder Mika Biereth, while Portugal threatened only once over Renato Veiga, who had previously conceded a penalty for the Danes with a reckless handball.Given that the Danes were pretty dominant, the Portuguese – Diogo Dalot and Vitinha – were rather nervous after the break, receiving two yellow cards in between 57th and 59th minute. And they were right to be anxious!Twelve minutes before the end, Denmark finally crowned their much better performance with an opener! Brian Riemer’s men organized a beautiful action, which Rasmus Hojlund ended with a ruthless finish from inside the box, making it 1-0!RASMUS HOJLUND’S GOAL FOR DENMARK!! 🔥pic.twitter.com/feeEM8aE22— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) March 20, 2025 By the end of the game, Portugal failed to respond, so they’ll have to chase Denmark’s lead on Sunday (22.45). If they don’t win, they’ll be relegated to league B.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUELeague A playoffs – Quarter-finalsThursdayCroatia – France 2-0 (2-0)/Budimir 26, Perisic 45+1/Denmark – Portugal 1-0 (0-0)/Hojlund 78/Italy – Germany 1-2 (1-0)/Tonali 9 – Kleindienst 49, Goretzka 76/Netherlands – Spain 2-2 (1-1)/Gakpo 28, Reijnders 46 – Williams 9, Merino 90+3/League A/B relegation playoffsThursdayTurkey – Hungary 3-1 (1-1)/Kokcu 9, Akturkoglu 69, Kahveci 73 – Schafer 25/Austria – Serbia 1-1 (1-0)/Gregoritsch 37 – Samardzic 62/Greece – Scotland 0-1 (0-1)/McTominay 32 pen/Ukraine – Belgium 3-1 (0-1)/Gutsulyak 66, Vanat 73, Zabarnyi 79 – Lukaku 40/League B/C relegation playoffsThursdayArmenia – Georgia 0-3 (0-2)/Kochorashvili 33, Mikautadze 37, 59/Bulgaria – R.Ireland 1-2 (1-2)/Petkov 6 – Azaz 21, Doherty 42/Kosovo – Iceland 2-1 (1-1)/Dellova 19, Rexhbecaj 58 – Oskarsson 22/Slovakia – Slovenia 0-0
