Joe
Germany’s 5-4 Aggregate Win Over Italy Creates Unexpected Hero
Germany booked their place in the UEFA Nations League semifinals after a dramatic 5-4 aggregate victory over Italy on Sunday, but the match also introduced an unlikely new hero: 15-year-old ball boy Noel Urbaniack.
Urbaniack’s quick thinking in the 36th minute proved decisive, as he swiftly returned the ball to German captain Joshua Kimmich for a corner kick. With Italy’s defense caught off guard and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma out of position, Jamal Musiala capitalized on the moment, heading home Germany’s second goal of the match.
“It is unbelievable. I have never been involved in something like that,” said Urbaniack, who was gifted a signed football by the German team after the game. “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.”
Germany, who played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the second leg, advanced 5-4 on aggregate and will face Portugal in the semifinals in June. The other semifinal will see France take on Spain, setting up an elite final four in the competition.
Portugal Overcome Denmark in Extra-Time Thriller
Portugal clinched their Nations League semifinal spot with a hard-fought 5-3 aggregate victory over Denmark, prevailing 5-2 after extra time on Sunday.
Francisco Trincão emerged as the hero for Portugal, coming off the bench to score twice, while Cristiano Ronaldo also found the net despite an early setback.
Denmark had taken a 1-0 lead in the tie following Rasmus Højlund’s goal in the first leg, and they looked poised for an upset. The return fixture in Lisbon started with early drama, as Patrick Dorgu’s foul on Ronaldo gifted Portugal a third-minute penalty. However, Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel denied the Portuguese captain, setting the tone for a tense encounter.
Portugal eventually broke through in the 38th minute via a Joachim Andersen own goal, but Denmark responded through Rasmus Kristensen’s header in the second half. Ronaldo then struck from a tight angle, only for Christian Eriksen to put Denmark ahead on aggregate in the 76th minute.
With Portugal on the brink of elimination, Trincão delivered, scoring in the 86th minute to force extra time before adding a superb finish in the 91st to give his side the edge. Gonçalo Ramos sealed the victory late on, setting up a semifinal showdown with Germany.
Juventus Sack Thiago Motta After Heavy Defeats, Appoint Igor Tudor
Juventus have dismissed manager Thiago Motta following back-to-back heavy defeats in Serie A, appointing former player Igor Tudor as his replacement, the club announced on Sunday.
The decision comes after Juventus suffered a 3-0 loss to Fiorentina on March 16, following an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat against Atalanta a week earlier. The poor run has seen them drop to fifth in the standings, 12 points behind league leaders Inter Milan.
“Juventus FC announces that it has relieved Thiago Motta of his position as coach of the men’s first team,” the club stated. “Juventus also announces that it has entrusted the leadership of the Men’s First Team to Igor Tudor, who will direct the first training session tomorrow.”
Tudor, 46, spent much of his playing career at Juventus and previously served as Andrea Pirlo’s assistant in 2020. He has since managed Udinese, Hellas Verona, and Lazio in Serie A.
Juventus’ struggles have not been limited to domestic competition. They were knocked out of the Champions League at the playoff stage by PSV Eindhoven and suffered a Coppa Italia quarterfinal exit at the hands of Empoli.
Despite an impressive 21-game unbeaten run earlier in the season, Motta’s tenure was marred by too many drawn matches, preventing a serious title challenge. His dismissal follows mounting frustration from supporters, especially after his rigid handling of key players such as Federico Chiesa, who was sold to Liverpool in August.
Juventus will look to bounce back when they host Genoa in their next league fixture.
