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Germany's Antonio Ruediger (R), Tim Kleindienst (L) and their teammates celebrate their side's secong goal of the game during the UEFA Nations League play-offs, second leg soccer match between Germany and Italy at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa
Germany flirted with disaster after scoring three first-half goals as they allowed Italy back to a 3-3 draw on Sunday, which was just enough for a place in the Nations League Final Four mini tournament they will host in June.
Germany escaped the stunning Azzurri fightback by virtue of their 2-1 comeback victory in the first leg on Thursday in Milan as they prevailed 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-final tie.
Three goals between the 30th and 45th seemed to set the Germans on course over the Euro 2020 champions who were completely outplayed in that period.
Captain Joshua Kimmich converted a 30th minute penalty, quickly executed a corner kick in the 36th for Jamal Musiala against still arguing Italians, and set up Tim Kleindienst to head the third in the 45th.
But the hosts completely lost control of the match after the break as Italy were reborn from Moise Kean's brace in the 48th and 69th.
Italy had a penalty nullified upon review in a huge let-off for Germany but then got one in stoppage time after another review after a Maximilian Mittelstädt handball which Giacomo Raspadori converted but it was too late.
Germany will host the June 4-8 Final Four event in Stuttgart and Munich, while Italy will start qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after failing to reach the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
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Italy's Daniel Maldini (C) and Germany's Angelo Stiller (L) and Leroy Sane battle for the ball during the UEFA Nations League play-offs, second leg soccer match between Germany and Italy at Signal Iduna Park. Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
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Germany's Tim Kleindienst (L) scores his side's third goal of the game during the UEFA Nations League play-offs, second leg soccer match between Germany and Italy at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa
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Germany's Tim Kleindienst (L) scores his side's third goal of the game during the UEFA Nations League play-offs, second leg soccer match between Germany and Italy at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa
{microsoft_credit="" caption="Germany's Tim Kleindienst (L) scores his side's third goal of the game during the UEFA Nations League play-offs, second leg soccer match between Germany and Italy at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa"}
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Germany's Jamal Musiala (L) and Italy's players Davide Frattesi (C) and Giovanni Di Lorenzo battle for the ball during the UEFA Nations League play-offs, second leg soccer match between Germany and Italy at Signal Iduna Park. Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
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Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (R) concedes Germany's third goal of the game during the UEFA Nations League play-offs, second leg soccer match between Germany and Italy at Signal Iduna Park. Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
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