The UEFA Nations League match between Netherlands and Italy ended with a 3-2 victory for Italy, earning them the bronze medal for the second time in the tournament. The game was marked by goals from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, and Federico Chiesa for Italy, and Steven Bergwijn and Georginio Wijnaldum for the Netherlands.
Italy took an early lead in the match, with Federico Dimarco scoring a goal in the sixth minute. The goal was set up by Giacomo Raspadori’s back-heel flick, which allowed Dimarco to fire a shot into the top corner past the Dutch goalkeeper, Justin Bijlow.
The Italians doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Davide Frattesi slotted home after a deflected shot from Wilfried Gnonto fell into his path. The goal was confirmed after a lengthy VAR check for potential handball and offside.
The Netherlands managed to pull one back midway through the second half, with Steven Bergwijn smartly taking down a deep cross before firing left-footed past Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, Italy quickly restored their two-goal lead with Federico Chiesa scoring a cool finish across Bijlow following a quick counter-attack.
In the final minutes of the game, Georginio Wijnaldum fired into the roof of the net, setting up a tense finish. However, Italy managed to hold on to their lead, securing third place in the tournament.
This win for Italy means they have claimed the Nations League bronze medal for the second time, demonstrating their consistent performance in the tournament. The victory also puts pressure on Dutch manager Ronald Koeman, who has now lost three of the first four games of his second spell in charge.
The players who stood out in this match include Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, and Federico Chiesa for Italy, and Steven Bergwijn and Georginio Wijnaldum for the Netherlands. Their goals were crucial in determining the outcome of the game.
