{"id":206566,"date":"2025-06-23T02:17:19","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T02:17:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/206566\/"},"modified":"2025-06-23T02:17:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T02:17:19","slug":"leeds-star-leaves-the-field-in-tears-after-being-sent-off-as-germany-beat-nine-man-italy-in-thrilling-quarter-final-at-european-under-21-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/206566\/","title":{"rendered":"Leeds star leaves the field in tears after being sent off as Germany beat nine-man Italy in thrilling quarter-final at European Under-21 Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ROBERT SUMMERSCALES<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 20:47 EDT, 22 June 2025 | Updated: 20:47 EDT, 22 June 2025 <\/p>\n

Wilfried Gnonto left the pitch in tears as Italy suffered a heartbreaking exit from the European Under-21 Championship, losing 3-2 after extra time to Germany despite a heroic display with nine men.<\/p>\n

The Leeds United<\/a> forward was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 80th minute with the score at 1-1. Mattia Zanotti followed him down the tunnel 10 minutes later, also dismissed for two yellows, leaving Italy with just nine players heading into stoppage time.<\/p>\n

Somehow, they still found a way to equalise. In the sixth minute of added time \u2014 with virtually the last kick of the game \u2014 Giuseppe Ambrosino curled home a superb free-kick to force extra time.<\/p>\n

Italy then defended doggedly for another 27 minutes, but their resistance was finally broken just short of what would have been a penalty shootout, as Merlin Rohl drilled home from the edge of the box to send Germany into the semi-finals.<\/p>\n

Burnley<\/a>‘s Luca Koleosho had earlier put Italy in front on 58 minutes with a smart finish. Germany hit back 10 minutes later when Nick Woltemade, the tournament’s top scorer, nodded in his fifth goal of the campaign.<\/p>\n

Gnonto had looked lively and struck the post with a curling effort before picking up two yellow cards in the space of 17 minutes.<\/p>\n

\"Italy <\/p>\n

Italy U21 star Wilfried Gnonto left the field in tears after being sent off on Sunday evening<\/p>\n

\"No <\/p>\n

No 10 Gnonto was consoled by his team-mates during Italy’s quarter-final defeat by Germany<\/p>\n

Nelson Weiper then gave Germany the lead with a well-taken header in the 87th minute, and Zanotti’s red card moments later looked to have sealed Italy’s fate.<\/p>\n

But Ambrosino had other ideas. His 96th-minute free-kick sparked wild celebrations and sent the tie into extra time, where Italy’s depleted side battled bravely but eventually ran out of steam.<\/p>\n

Germany will now face France on Wednesday, with England up against the Netherlands in the other semi-final.<\/p>\n

Italy coach Carmine Nunziata hailed his players’ spirit and performance after Sunday’s defeat.<\/p>\n

‘This is the moment to praise these guys,’ he said. ‘They played a great game. We were two players down and only conceded four minutes from the end. The whole stadium was with us \u2014 that means we did something important.’<\/p>\n

‘It hurts to lose like this. These guys deserved to go through. They were exceptional, united, and gave everything.’<\/p>\n

Captain Lorenzo Pirola added: ‘We showed our quality and played a really big game. We were just unlucky. I’m proud of everyone.’<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Germany coach Antonio Di Salvo admitted his side had been rattled by Italy’s late equaliser.<\/p>\n

\"Italy <\/p>\n

Italy fought back from 2-1 down with nine men and almost took the game to a penalty shootout<\/p>\n

\"But <\/p>\n

But Germany scored late in extra time to prevail 3-2 and book their place in the semi-finals<\/p>\n

‘My knees wobbled a bit,’ he said. ‘Italy defended really well. The goal we conceded at 2-1 must not happen, but we stayed calm. We’re happy to be in the semi-finals and now it’s time to recover for France.’<\/p>\n

Gnonto’s red card marked a frustrating end to an otherwise strong season.<\/p>\n

Before going on international duty this summer, the 21-year-old helped Leeds win promotion back to the Premier League, scoring nine goals and registering six assists in 43 Championship games.<\/p>\n

He will now return to the English top flight, having previously made 24 Premier League appearances in 2022\u201323, scoring twice and assisting four times.<\/p>\n

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