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Nations League: San Marino Defeats Liechtenstein In First Competitive Win
San Marino, the nation with the lowest FIFA ranking, achieved a remarkable feat by securing their first-ever victory in competitive international football.
The tiny republic, often overshadowed on the global stage, celebrated a momentous 1-0 win over Liechtenstein in the UEFA Nations League, ending a staggering 20-year, 140-match winless streak.
A Match of Significance
As both teams entered the pitch, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation.
With a combined 179-game winless run, San Marino and Liechtenstein were aware of the significance of this encounter.
For San Marino, the belief was boosted by their only previous victory an inconsequential friendly against Liechtenstein back in 2004. This context added a layer of pressure, as both teams sought to seize the opportunity for a rare win.
Nervous Beginnings
The opening exchanges of the match were characterized by tension, with both teams appearing somewhat anxious. Simple mistakes were commonplace, and both sides struggled to find their rhythm. As the first half progressed, San Marino began to find their footing, creating their best chances, but the nerves were still evident.
On the half-hour mark, Liechtenstein appeared to have taken the lead when Ferhat Saglam broke free on the right and delivered a pinpoint squared pass to Fabio Luque-Notaro, who found the back of the net.
However, the celebrations were cut short as the offside flag was raised, much to the relief of the San Marino players and their supporters.
The Turning Point
As the second half commenced, it seemed that Liechtenstein was ready to capitalize on their momentum.
Just five minutes in, Luque-Notaro had another opportunity to score, but his close-range effort was stopped by the resilient San Marino defense, showing their determination to keep the match level.
The game’s defining moment arrived just two minutes later, in the 52nd minute. A ball into the area from Giacomo Benvenuti found its way to Sandro Wieser, who is-headed the ball.
In a flash, Nicko Sensoli seized the chance, darting in to redirect the ball past Liechtenstein goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel. The stadium erupted in jubilation as Sensoli’s goal sent shockwaves of joy through the San Marino fans.
A Historic Celebration
The players celebrated passion, embracing each other and sharing in the collective relief and joy of finally breaking their winless curse.
As the game progressed, the pressure was on San Marino. The visitors, desperate to find an equalizer, pushed forward with determination.
However, the San Marino defense held firm, displaying resilience and composure under pressure.
Remarkably, Liechtenstein failed to register a single shot on target in the closing stages, of the match thanks to San Marino’s defense.
Top of the Group
With this historic victory, San Marino secured their first competitive win and also found themselves at the top of Group D1 in the UEFA Nations League.
