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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Germany raced into three-goal lead</li><li>Aided by some questionable defending</li><li>Six-goal contest ended all square</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Italy ridiculed after letting Jamal Musiala score 'cartoonish' goal for Germany as entire Azzurri defence 'falls asleep' for Joshua Kimmich's quick corner routine in Nations League thriller

<p>A UEFA Nations League thriller was played out at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund as the two European heavyweights locked horns. The hosts headed into that contest <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/joshua-kimmich-germany-bayern-star-julian-nagelsmann-sandro-tonali-nations-league-quarter-final/blt187ece9c21c79eb6" target="_blank">leading 2-1 from the first leg</a>, and were just about able to get themselves over the line.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Germany appeared to be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-last-shot-european-glory-nations-league-quarter-final-semi-final-draws-confirmed-uefa/bltda319c572dbeb794" target="_blank">easing into the semi-finals</a> after opening up a 3-0 lead by half-time, only to see Italy net three times in the second half. The Azzurri gave themselves a mountain to climb, which they were ultimately unable to overcome, after putting in a defensive disaster-class.</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sv" dir="ltr">"Italienarna står och sover litegrann" 😴<br><br>Tyskland tackar och tar emot när Italien tittar åt andra hållet 👀 <a href="https://t.co/JRnnpa6DRL">pic.twitter.com/JRnnpa6DRL</a></p>— Viaplay Fotboll (@ViaplayFotboll) <a href="https://twitter.com/ViaplayFotboll/status/1903911743757177245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Germany’s second of the night saw Musiala turn the ball into an empty net after Italy failed to recognise the threat posed by a quick corner. Joshua Kimmich was very much switched on as he fired the ball into Bayern Munich team-mate Musiala, with the Azzurri defence – including goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma – still chatting among themselves as they conceded a comical effort.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Spectators were quick to tear into some hapless defending, with <a href="https://x.com/NimaTavRood/status/1903906989098357186" target="_blank">@NimaTavRood</a> saying: "Nothing sums up this international break defensively for Italy better than this cartoonish goal." <a href="https://x.com/JCapGLJ/status/1903906426503782732" target="_blank">@JcapGLJ</a> added: "Who is Italy kidding? Even if they didn't fall asleep in such embarrassing fashion, they have less then zero chance of scoring. It's the same thing over and over and over again." <a href="https://x.com/carlogarganese/status/1903909129451893118" target="_blank">@carlogarganese</a> went on to say: "Serious questions need to be asked if Luciano Spalletti is the right manager to take Italy forward. This Italy defend like schoolboys, they’ve conceded 9 goals in six games on set-pieces and they have no fight or organisation."</p><p><a href="https://x.com/chrissy1893/status/1903906605323661775" target="_blank">@chrissy1893</a> said: "Italy genuinely just embarrassed themselves yet again defensively. They're just dreadful at set pieces." <a href="https://x.com/ItalyProp/status/1903908789448765848" target="_blank">@ItalyProp</a> echoed those sentiments by saying: "That was one of the most disgraceful things I’ve ever seen. Genuine question: Does Spalletti even coach this team? Or does he just pick a lineup and tell them to go out there and play at 70% effort to not get hurt for their clubs? It is complete chaos. Headless chickens."</p>

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

<p>While Italy almost dragged themselves back into the tie, as they fell narrowly short of forcing extra-time, they are being left to reflect on another disjointed display which has delivered more uncomfortable questions ahead of 2026 World Cup qualification getting underway.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Italy ridiculed after letting Jamal Musiala score 'cartoonish' goal for Germany as entire Azzurri defence 'falls asleep' for Joshua Kimmich's quick corner routine in Nations League thriller | Goal.com

Italy have been ridiculed for allowing Jamal Musiala to score a &quot;cartoonish&quot; goal for Germany that saw the entire Azzurri defence &quot;fall asleep&quot;.

Italy ridiculed after letting Jamal Musiala score &apos;cartoonish&apos; goal for Germany as entire Azzurri defence &apos;falls asleep&apos; for Joshua Kimmich&apos;s quick corner routine in Nations League thriller