Italy claimed bronze medals in the Nations League finals for the second time in a row, after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a thrilling third-place play-off match in Enschede.
The Azzurri took an early lead through Federico Dimarco, who smashed the ball into the net from a clever backheel by Giacomo Raspadori in the sixth minute. Davide Frattesi doubled their advantage in the 20th minute, after a lucky bounce fell into his path.
The hosts came back strongly in the second half, making three attacking substitutions at halftime. They tested Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma several times, before Steven Bergwijn scored with a neat finish in the 68th minute.
However, Italy restored their two-goal cushion five minutes later, when Federico Chiesa broke away on a counterattack and slotted his shot past Justin Bijlow. Georginio Wijnaldum set up a tense finish with a late goal for the Dutch in the 89th minute, but Italy held on for the win.
The result added to a disappointing week for the Netherlands, who lost 4-2 in extra time to Croatia in the semi-final on Wednesday. Italy also suffered a heartbreak in their semi-final against Spain on Thursday, losing to a last-minute goal.
Croatia and Spain will face each other in the final in Rotterdam on Sunday at 7.45pm.
