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Italy pip Netherlands to bronze medal in Nations League

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ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 18: Davide Frattesi of Italy celebrates 0-2 with Rafael Toloi of Italy, Giacomo Raspadori of Italy, Bryan Cristante of Italy, Wilfried Gnonto of Italy, Marco Verratti of Italy, Federico Dimarco of Italy, Mateo Retegui of Italy  during the  UEFA Nations league match between Holland  v Italy at the De Grolsch Veste on June 18, 2023 in Enschede Netherlands (Photo by Pim Waslander/Soccrates/Getty Images)
ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 18: Davide Frattesi of Italy celebrates 0-2 with Rafael Toloi of Italy, Giacomo Raspadori of Italy, Bryan Cristante of Italy, Wilfried Gnonto of Italy, Marco Verratti of Italy, Federico Dimarco of Italy, Mateo Retegui of Italy during the UEFA Nations league match between Holland v Italy at the De Grolsch Veste on June 18, 2023 in Enschede Netherlands (Photo by Pim Waslander/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Italy secured the bronze medal in the UEFA Nations League after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in the third/fourth play-off on Sunday afternoon.

Nezzurri coach Roberto Mancini made a host of changes from the loss to Spain, with Bryan Cristante, Marco Verratti, Wilfried Gnonto, Mateo Retegui and Giacomo Raspadori all getting starts.

The European champions took the lead in spectacular fashion after just minutes when Giacomo Raspadori's back-heel put the ball on the plate for Federico Dimarco, who rifled the ball into the far corner.

Italy went on to double their lead in the 20th minute when Gnonto's deflected into the path of an un-marked Davide Frattesi, who took one touch before firing past goalkeeper  Justin Bijlow.

Netherlands waited until the final five minutes of the first half for their first major chance, but Cody Gakpo failed to hit the target from close range after skipping past a couple challenges.

Koeman responded with a triple change at the start of the second half, with Steve Bergwijn, Wout Weghorst and Georginio Wijnaldum brought to bolster the side's attack.

The changes paid off as the Netherlands reduced the deficit in the 68th minute through a powerful finish from Berwjin after some good work by Gakpo down the left flank.

The joy was short-lived though as the Italians grabbed a third goal four minutes later as Frattesi turned provider to play  in Federico Chiesa down the left and the substitute made no mistake by firing in at the near post.

The Dutch thought they had bagged a second goal on 82 minutes when Weghorst slammed home from close range, but the goal was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for offside.

Koeman's charges did reduce the deficit seven minutes later as Johannes Cornelis Maria Veerman did well to play in Wijnaldum, who took one touch before firing into the roof of the net but they were unable to add to that tally as the Italians held on for the win.

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