Italy claimed the comfort bronze medals on the Nations League finals, and added to a disappointing week for hosts the Netherlands, because it edged the Dutch 3-2 in Sunday’s third place playoff tie on the Twente Stadium.
Federico Dimarco thrashed the ball dwelling on the far put up within the sixth minute and Davide Frattesi doubled the rating from in entrance of purpose within the twentieth minute to present Italy a snug halftime lead.
But the Dutch launched a concerted second half comeback, making three attacking adjustments on the break, laying siege to Italy’s purpose and seeing Steven Bergwijn pull a purpose again within the 68th minute.
Federico Chiesa restored the 2 purpose benefit on the finish of a 73rd minute counterattack however there was an thrilling conclusion as Georginio Wijnaldum bought a second for the Dutch within the 89th. But though 9 minutes of stoppage time was added on, Italy held out beneath dwelling strain for victory.
Italy made a rapid begin because it put collectively a sequence of fast passes with Giacomo Raspadori backheeling the ball to Dimarco for a thunderous end.
The shock of the purpose silenced the house followers and there was hardly any noise 14 minutes later when a lucky rebound fell for Frattesi to attain, as he chested the ball down earlier than squeezing it dwelling.
The reworked Dutch aspect examined Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma within the second half. He made a powerful block to disclaim Cody Gakpo, who had missed a obvious first half likelihood.
Gakpo did contribute, nonetheless, as he arrange Bergwijn for the house aspect’s first purpose, with the substitute displaying composure as he dragged the ball from his proper to left foot earlier than rifling dwelling.
Five minutes later Chiesa broke from inside his personal half down the left flank and squeezed his shot contained in the far put up because the Dutch had been caught out pushing up seeking a second purpose.
Wijnaldum’s late purpose renewed hopes of a comeback nevertheless it was to not be for the Dutch, who had excessive hopes of dwelling success within the event however had been crushed 4-2 in additional time by Croatia in Wednesday’s first semi-final.
Italy misplaced to a last-minute purpose in its semi-final towards Spain on Thursday. Croatia and Spain contest the ultimate in Rotterdam in a while Sunday.
