Italy reaches Nations League finals by beating Bosnia 2-0

Italy advanced to the Nations League Final Four by beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday.

Andrea Belotti and Domenico Berardi scored in a game that Italy dominated to ensure it finished top of Group 1 and earned the right to host the Nations League finals in October.

Federico Bernardeschi also hit the crossbar late on with one of Italy’s numerous chances.

Italy's Andrea Belotti, left, is blocked by Bosnia's Dennis Hadzikadunic during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Bosnia and Italy, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoKemal Softic)

Italy finished a point ahead of the Netherlands, which scored two late goals to win 2-1 in Poland.

Bosnia was already mathematically relegated to League B.

Italy was beset with problems coming into the match. Coach Roberto Mancini and standout forward Ciro Immobile were still out with the coronavirus, and several more players were unavailable due to club quarantines and injuries.

Italy coach Alberico Evani gestures during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Bosnia and Italy, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoKemal Softic)

Italy dominated from the start and opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Manuel Locatelli sent Lorenzo Insigne down the left flank and he crossed for Belotti, whose volley looped over Bosnia goalkeeper Kenan Pirić.

Bosnia almost leveled shortly before halftime but Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a great save at point-blank range to deny Smail Prevljak.

Moments later Italy could have doubled its lead but Lorenzo Insigne's curled finish skimmed the outside of the far post.

Italy players celebrate after Italy's Andrea Belotti scored his side's opening goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Bosnia and Italy, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoKemal Softic)

Italy was creating chances but lacked the finishing touch. On the hour mark it was Francesco Acerbi’s turn to miss the target as his effort flashed across goal and just wide of the right upright.

The Azzurri finally doubled their lead in the 68th as Locatelli sent a ball over the top for Berardi to volley into the bottom right corner.

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Italy's Domenico Berardi (11) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Bosnia and Italy, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoKemal Softic)

Italy's Manuel Locatelli, center, is challenged by Bosnia's Josip Corluka, left, during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Bosnia and Italy, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoKemal Softic)

Italy's Nicolo Barella, right, is challenged by Bosnia's Stipe Loncar during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Bosnia and Italy, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoKemal Softic)

Bosnia's Sinisa Sanicanin, center, heads the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Bosnia and Italy, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoKemal Softic)

Italy's Lorenzo Insigne, right, is challenged by Bosnia's Dennis Hadzikadunic during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Bosnia and Italy, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoKemal Softic)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards banked in a go-ahead, 3-foot runner with 16.8 seconds and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a 19-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-103 on Sunday night.

Edwards scored 23 points. Julius Randle had 15 points, eight rebounds and the winning defensive possession against Victor Wembanyama, who had 29 points in 27 minutes in his return to San Antonio's starting lineup. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman had trouble shedding Randle and his upper-body strength, clanking a 16-foot jumper with 6.6 seconds to go.

De'Aaron Fox's 3-point heave near the buzzer missed, too, sending the Minnesota crowd into a frenzy after the back-and-forth finish between two of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Donte DiVincenzo scored 19 points with a major spark for the comeback from the 19-point deficit early in the third quarter for the Timberwolves (26-14), who are 16-6 since Thanksgiving Day.

Edwards gave the Wolves their first lead at 100-98 on a turnaround jumper with 2:19 remaining, before Harrison Barnes put the Spurs back in front with a 3-pointer.

Wembanyama was a plus-17 with seven rebounds and three steals to upstage his fellow Frenchman and ace rim protector Rudy Gobert. The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner was outdone on both ends of the floor by Wembanyama, who has been on a minutes restriction since hyperextending his knee on Dec. 31 and missing two games. Wembanyama missed 12 games earlier this season with calf tightness.

Naz Reid had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Wolves, who played without head coach Chris Finch due to illness and were down 16-0 before finally making their first basket 4:39 into the game. Assistant coach Micah Nori took the lead on the bench for Finch.

Spurs: At Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

Timberwolves: At Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) grabs a pass as Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid, left, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts next to referee Courtney Kirkland during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama walks to the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after making a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, center, celebrates as time in an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)