It’s a little piece of sporting history that is being played out this Thursday evening. Because apart from the big nations that are starting their Nations League, San Marino is hosting Liechtenstein for a match that is as original as it is potentially historic.
Just imagine. ‘The Biancoarruzzi’ (nickname of the San Marino players), last in the UEFA (55th) and FIFA (210th) rankings, have the opportunity tonight, at the Marino Stadium (6,600 seats), to sign the second victory in their history. Their first and last success dates back more than two decades: a certain April 28, 2004, after winning 1-0… against Liechtenstein.
A date that has become historic. But it took 60 matches to taste something other than defeat (a good old 0-0 draw against Estonia in 2014). San Marino unfortunately did not ride on this good result: the lowest ranked team in the world then suffered 40 defeats until a new draw (again 0-0) against… Liechtenstein in 2020.
Liechtenstein, towards a first victory since 2020?
Favorite for the evening’s match, the Alpine Principality (ranked 43rd European nation and 199th world nation) is aiming for a first victory in four years. On October 7, 2020, the Liechtensteiners chained a second consecutive success against Luxembourg (98th in the FIFA ranking at the time), after the one against San Marino (2-0), a month earlier.
Since these two victories, the Blue and Red have notably signed five draws, but still no victory. So this Thursday evening, against the nation they have beaten the most, a victory can change everything. And Liechtenstein can approach the match with confidence: in the last four matches, they have won three times and drawn one match.
But don’t worry for tonight’s loser: a rematch, still counting towards the Nations League, will take place on November 18, this time in Liechtenstein.
- RMC Sport
