Julius OkorieFootball is a team event where the action or inaction of a player can make or break the team. Sometimes players disagree to agree, some other times they agree to disagree.
That was the case on Sunday, as the Azzuris of Italy were sent packing in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Nations League. A bizarre goal conceded by Italy on the altar of argument contributed in no small measures to sealing their fate on the night.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelWith Germany leading 1-0 in Dortmund, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a good save to tip over Tim Kleindienst’s header for a corner.
The Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper then began arguing with his team-mates as he wandered outside of his six-yard box.
With the visitors completely switched off, the quick-thinking Joshua Kimmich fired in a low corner for the unmarked Jamal Musiala to fire into an empty net.
The bizarre goal stood because a player cannot be offside at a corner kick – and it created a new hero in a ball boy.
Fifteen-year-old Noel Urbaniack, who helped Kimmich with a quick ball delivery for the goal, was handed a signed football from the German team.
“It is unbelievable. I have never been involved in something like that,” said a beaming Urbaniack.
“We had brief eye contact. I saw he wanted the ball and I quickly threw it to him. It was my first time as a ball boy.”
Kimmich had earlier opened the scoring with a 30th-minute penalty before Musiala added the second six minutes later.
Kleindienst then made it 3-0 just before half-time, although Italy pulled off a second-half comeback to draw the second leg as ex-Everton striker Moise Kean scored twice and Giacomo Raspadori converted a 95th-minute penalty equaliser.
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But it was not enough to prevent Luciano Spalletti’s side from exiting the Nations League as they lost 5-4 on aggregate, with Germany through to June’s Nations League finals, which they will host. Perhaps the lesson for Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and his teammates is to learn how to avoid argurment on the pitch, especially when a desperate opponent is lurking around.
Meanwhile Portugal Captain and Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia talisman Cristiano Ronaldo missed a sixth-minute penalty against Denmark in their Nations League quarterfinal second leg clash, but remedied the situation by scoring in the second half to help Portugal zoom into the semi-final
Ronaldo won a penalty after he was brought down by Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu, but the 40-year-old had his spot-kick saved by Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
But the ex-Leicester shot-stopper could not prevent Ronaldo from scoring in the 72nd minute as he finished from a tight angle to give Portugal a 2-1 lead.
Ronaldo then pulled off his ‘Sui’ celebration just three days after Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund copied it after scoring Denmark’s winner in the first leg in Copenhagen.
But Man Utd midfielder Christian Eriksen quickly levelled for the visitors just four minutes after Ronaldo’s goal to leave Portugal on the verge of an exit before Francisco Trincao came off the bench to score an 86th-minute goal to make it 3-2 and force extra-time.
Goncalo Ramos, who replaced Ronaldo, added a fifth in the 115th minute to win it 5-2 in extra-time for a 5-3 aggregate win to set up a Nations League semi-final against Germany.
The second semi-final will be between Spain and France. Germany will now host the finals from June 4-8.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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