Italy secured a third-place result in the Nations League finals with a 3-2 victory over the Netherlands on Sunday.
Ronald Koeman’s Dutch squad began the week determined to win their first trophy since the 1988 European Championship, but they fell short in both home matches, losing the semi-final to Croatia on Wednesday.
Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi scored first-half goals for Euro 2020 champions Italy in Enschede despite a sluggish start by the Netherlands.
Steven Bergwijn equalized with 20 minutes remaining, but Federico Chiesa of Juventus swiftly restored Italy’s lead to guarantee the bronze medal, despite Georginio Wijnaldum’s second equalizer.
Since being reinstated as Netherlands coach in January, Koeman has lost three of his four outings.
In the sixth minute, Inter Milan defender Dimarco fired a ferocious shot into the upper corner after Giacomo Raspadori set him up with a deft pass.
Thursday’s semi-final loss to Spain saw neither player start, as Italy coach Roberto Mancini made several substitutions and reverted to his preferred 4-3-3 formation.
It paid off when Frattesi, one of only four players who also confronted La Roja from the start, scored Italy’s second goal.
The 23-year-old midfielder for Sassuolo has been Italy’s finest player in the final four, illustrating the Azzurri’s promising young talent.
Bergwijn scored a well-taken goal to give the Netherlands an opportunity in the contest, but Chiesa quickly responded with a low finish that was saved by Justin Bijlow.
The Oranje’s Wout Weghorst scored after a deflected free kick landed into his path, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Wijnaldum scored after receiving a pass from Joey Veerman that was threaded through the defense, but it was too little, too late.
Later on Sunday in Rotterdam, Spain will face Croatia in the championship match.