Italy beat Hungary for consolation of Nations League final-four. Italy, which will miss the World Cup for a second time in a row, found solace in Europe once more on Monday as they defeated Hungary 2-0 in Budapest to take top position in their Nations League group.
Wilfried Gnonto capitalized on a sloppy Hungarian back pass to give Italy the lead in the 27th minute. Giacomo Raspadori, who scored the game-winning goal against England on Friday, then pushed the ball home.
Even though the World Cup is still an open sore and there is no turning back, Gianluigi Donnarumma, the goalkeeper for Italy, said, “We needed these matches to revive enthusiasm.”
Italy beat Hungary for consolation of Nations League final-four. We must restart because it is necessary for all of Italy.
Hungary, who started the final round of games top of Group A3, fought hard but Donnarumma made two miraculous saves in quick succession in the 50th minute from Loic Nego and Adam Szalai.
Two minutes later, Federico Dimarco met a Bryan Cristante cross at the back post to smash in his first international goal and Italy’s 1,500th.
Donnarumma produced another outstanding to keep out a header from Callum Styles (55th).
Italy held on to follow the Netherlands and Croatia into the Nations League final four scheduled for June 2023.
“We were excellent for 70 minutes, the last 20 I didn’t like too much,” said Italy coach Roberto Mancini.
“We’re happy, it’s important to have reached the Nations League final four for the second time.”
Spain or Portugal meet on Tuesday to decide the last ticket for a chance to succeed France as champion.
Italy, who fell to a low point in March, less than a year after their Euro 2020 title, when they failed to qualify for the World Cup, have a another European final tournament to look forward to.
Hungary’s surprising run through the group had recalled some of the triumphs of the feats of the Magic Magyars of the 1950s.
They gained a first competitive victory over Germany since 1954 and a first win away to England since 1954 but still have not beaten Italy since 1955.
The defeat also brought to an end the international career of Hungary captain Adam Szalai, who had said he is retiring from international football at 34 and received an ovation as he went off after 75 minutes.
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