Germany squandered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Italy on Sunday, but still managed to secure a nerve-wracking 5-4 aggregate victory and a place in the last four of the Nations League.

The hosts scored three times in a dizzying first half in which they dominated their continental rivals with a high-pressing, attacking game that gave Italy no chance.

Germany, who won the first leg 2-1, came out firing and opened the scoring with Joshua Kimmich's 30th-minute penalty. They now face Portugal in the semi-finals.

Before Italy could recover, Germany struck again, catching goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and the entire defence napping as Kimmich's corner was quickly met by the unmarked Jamal Musiala, who slotted home his second in the 36th minute.

The Italians were still discussing the situation when the ballboy quickly threw the ball to Kimmich, who scored from the corner.

Tim Kleindienst added a third on the stroke of half-time with a close-range header after another Kimmich assist and another defensive lapse by the visitors as the hosts looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory.

It was Kimmich's fourth assist of the two legs, but it would not be enough as the Italians capitalised on a German error to hit back through Moise Kean four minutes after the restart.

With the Germans a shadow of their former selves, Kean then beat defender Jonathan Tah to make it 3-2 on 69 minutes.

Giacomo Raspadori's stoppage-time penalty earned Italy a point, but they were unable to find a way through to level the scores on aggregate as Germany prepare to face either Denmark or Portugal in the last four in June.