Netherlands 2-3 Italy: Azzurri clinch third place at Nations League to compound hosts' misery in five-goal thriller
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Updated 18/06/2023 at 15:38 GMT
European champions Italy beat hosts the Netherlands 3-2 to take third place in the Nations League finals. Defeats to Spain and Croatia respectively left the two heavyweights vying for the consolation prize and the Azzurri came out on top, taking a 2-0 lead into the break before a Federico Chiesa strike kept a resurgent Oranje at bay in the second half.
L'abbraccio di Federico Chiesa dopo il gol che mancava da 2 anni, Getty Images
Image credit: Getty Images
Federico Chiesa came off the bench to take Italy to a 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in an entertaining Nations League third-place play-off.
Italy were in full control in the first half with Federico Dimarco smashing home in the sixth minute and Davide Frattesi doubling the lead midway through the half when Wilfried Gnonto's effort deflected into his path.
The Netherlands halved the deficit through Steven Bergwijn who skilfully rolled the ball away from Dimarco before lashing home with his left foot, but Chiesa came off the bench to seal the match.
He was allowed to sprint 50 yards with the ball into the area and then shimmied wide of Virgil van Dijk before squeezing the ball in off the post.
Wout Weghorst thought he had pulled a goal back eight yards from time when Joey Veerman's free kick fell into his path, but VAR showed him to be just offside when the initial shot struck Denzel Dumfries en route.
Georginho Wijnaldum did net in the 89th minute to bring about a nervous period of stoppage time, but Italy held on for victory.
TALKING POINT
Chiesa could dazzle in Premier League next season - The winger appeared to have the world at his feet after his starring role in the Azzuri's Euro 2020 winning side, but an anterior cruciate ligament injury the following January really halted his rise - and also possibly contributed to his country missing out on World Cup qualification.
After a frustrating six months following his return last November, struggling with muscular injuries, he looked back near his best for Juventus at the end of the season and he made the key difference to today's game. It has been suggested the Bianconeri will sell him for around £34 million with Liverpool and Newcastle interested in securing his signature. There could be another four or five clubs hoping to sign him at that price.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Federico Chiesa (Italy) - Five minutes after he came on for Giacomo Raspadori just after the hour mark, the Netherlands pulled a goal back, but the changes Ronald Koeman made to get his sides back in the game exposed spaces which the former Fiorentina flanker superbly exposed.
A fine dribble to the by-line and cross into the six-yard box could have resulted in a goal, as could his calm perfect pass to Nicola Barella on a breakaway (which eventually saw Lorenzo Pellegrini scuff wide). There was the chest and volley with his right foot which flew just a yard over from 25 yards and most crucially the goal where his ability to run with pace directly at goal and make the right decision, saw him secure the winner.
PLAYER RATINGS
Netherlands: Bijlow 6; Dumfries 5, Geertruida 5, Van Dijk 6, Ake 6; De Jong 6, Wieffer 6, Simons 7; Malen 6, Lang 6; Gakpo 7.
Subs: Bergwijn 7, Wijnaldum 7, Weghorst 6, Koopmeiners 6, Veerman 7.
Italy: Donnarumma 7; Toloi 6, Acerbi 7, Buongiorno 7, Dimarco 7; Cristante 6, Frattesi 6, Verratti 7; Gnonto 6, Raspadori 6, Retegui 6.
Subs: Chiesa 8*, Zaniolo 6, Spinazzola 6, Barella 6, Pellegrini 5.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
6' GOAL FOR ITALY! Dimarco initially put a cross into the box and then after Retegui missed an audacious overhead kick and Raspadori backheeled for the fullback who lashed an unstoppable effort home.
20' GOAL FOR ITALY! Dimarco pulled back to the edge of the box and Gnonto's shot fell kindly for Frattesi who nudges past Bijlow.
68' GOAL FOR NETHERLANDS! Gakpo's cross fell for Bergwijn and he had an age at the back post to control the ball, before rolling the ball away from Dimarco and smashing home with his left foot.
76' GOAL FOR ITALY! Chiesa scores on the break. He threatened a few minutes ago in the left wing position bit this time with no Dutch defender close he dribbled up to ten yards from goal then shimmied wide of van Dijk and squeezed a shot in off the post.
84' GOAL DISALLOWED! Unfortunately for the Netherlands the initial shot was deflected off Dumfries and when it did so, Weghorst was just ahead of the draught excluder.
89' GOAL FOR NETHERLANDS! Wijnaldum slams home from inside the area after he was set up by Veerman's through-ball.
KEY STAT
- Roberto Mancini has not lost any of his four matches as a manager for Italy against Netherlands (W2 D2), becoming the first manager to remain unbeaten in four different matches with the Azzurri against the Orange.
- Italy have found the net in the opening six minutes of play for the first time since 15th October 2019, against Liechtenstein (Bernardeschi at the second minute in the Euro 2020 qualifiers).
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