Mueez Ajao
– Germany picked up their first win of the Nations League in style, taking down rivals Italy 5-2 at Borussia-Park in Monchengladbach.
– The Azzurri entered the match atop the Group A3 standings, but Roberto Mancini’s much-changed side proved no match in what was as one-sided a contest as you’ll see.
– It took Hansi Flick’s men just 10 minutes to open the scoring. Joshua Kimmich collected a David Raum cross that evaded Thomas Muller and side-footed his effort through the legs of a diving Gianluigi Donnarumma.
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– The Germans doubled their advantage just before half-time when Alessandro Bastoni took down Jonas Hofmann in the penalty area. Up stepped Ilkay Gundogan, who made no mistake in firing home.
– Germany, who entered the match on the back of four consecutive 1-1 results, blew the match open by scoring a third six minutes after the restart. Just as Italy looked to be clawing their way back into the match, Muller drilled a half-volley off the surface and out of Donnarumma’s reach.
– Timo Werner got his name on the scoresheet with two goals in two minutes to make it 5-0, while Wilfried Gnonto and Bastoni added late consolations for Italy.
– Gnonto’s effort was the lone bright spot on the night for the Azzurri, as he became youngest goalscorer ever for the national team at 18 years seven months and 12 days.
