Italy 1-2 Germany LIVE - UEFA Nations League quarter-final result as visitors come from behind to win the first leg

Leon Goretzka marked his international return with the winning goal, as Germany came from behind to edge out Italy 2-1 in their Nations League quarter-final first leg on Thursday night.

The Bayern Munich midfielder, making his first appearance for the national team since November 2023, headed home a 76th-minute winner at San Siro, where substitute Tim Kleindienst cancelled out Sandro Tonali's opener.

Italy made a bright start and broke the deadlock after just nine minutes. Matteo Politano got in behind the defence and squared the ball across the area, where Tonali arrived to neatly steer home a wonderful first-time finish.

Tonali went close again - as did Moise Kean - as the Azzurri looked to double their lead, though Germany enjoyed most of the possession for the remainder of the half.

Julian Nagelsmann introduced Tim Kleindienst at half-time and, within five minutes, it paid dividends with the striker peeling away from his marker to bury home a header from Joshua Kimmich's pinpoint cross.

Kean went close at the other end as he fired a volley whiskers over the bar, while Giacomo Raspadori shot straight at Oliver Baumann soon after.

However, the visitors snatched the lead with 14 minutes remaining. Kimmich was the architect again with his inswinging corner superbly guided in by Goretzka at the near post.

Germany had Baumann to thank for a superb reflex save to prevent a potential Kleindienst own goal soon after, but otherwise, held out to take a one-goal lead to Dortmund for Sunday's second leg.

Not a bad way to mark your first international appearance in 15 months...

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Julian Nagelsmann's side take a 2-1 lead to Dortmund for Sunday's second leg.

Germany got off to a difficult start in what was their first Nations League knockout game, with Tonali's superb first-time finish breaking the deadlock.

The visitors did respond well to their early setback, but were lacking the cutting edge in the final third.

Nagelsmann identified this at half-time and on came Tim Kleindienst, who took just five minutes to make an impact by heading home Kimmich's delicious cross.

The latter was at the centre of most German attacks in Milan, making intelligent runs and delivering superb crosses.

Another led to what proved to be the winner, with his inswinging corner guided home by Bayern Munich team-mate Goretzka on his return to international football.

Italy pushed for a late equaliser to level the tie, but the Germans stood firm to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches since losing to Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

Italy 1-2 Germany

We will play a further four minutes at the end of this second half.

Can Italy find a dramatic equaliser?

Gross makes way for Andrich in a late change by the visitors.

Space to shoot presents itself, and Maldini tries his luck from range.

He hits the target and stings the palms of Baumann.

Spalletti turns to his bench again.

Kean and Barella are the players to make way, and on come Lucca and Frattesi.

Sane's work for the night is done, as he makes way for the returning Adeyemi.

Another Italy corner is only cleared as far as Barella.

The Inter midfielder strikes his volley cleanly, but cannot steer it towards goal.

Italy look to respond immediately and earn a corner.

The subsequent delivery is unwittingly diverted towards goal by Kleindienst, but Baumann produces superb reflexes to keep it out.

The visitors have turned it around!

And what a way to mark your return to the international stage after 15 months away!

Kimmich whips an inswinging corner to the near post, where Goretzka climbs brilliantly to guide a header past Donnarumma.

Can either side find a winner inside the final 15 minutes, or are we destined for a stalemate in Milan?

Italy make a change up top with Maldini sent on in place of Raspadori.

Father Paolo - a firm favourite at San Siro - proudly watches on from the stands.

Kimmich has been the architect of most Germany attacks this evening.

The skipper whips in another delicious cross, which Goretzka stoops to meet, but cannot direct towards the target.

Tonali's clever flick into the box is latched onto by Kean, whose fierce volley flashes whiskers over the crossbar.

Italy maintain their pressure and, moments later, Raspadori has a chance, but sends a tame shot straight at Baumann.

There is also activity on the visitors' bench, as Leweling takes Amiri's place.

Spalletti turns to the bench and makes a couple of alterations.

Bellanova and Ricci are introduced in place of Politano and Rovella.