San Marino experienced an extraordinary evening: they have only won once since 2004 – against Liechtenstein. In the second leg of the Nations League, the dwarf state triumphed again 3-1 – and was promoted directly to League C.
Pure ecstasy for Andrea Contadini and San Marino after the victory in Liechtenstein.
IMAGO/Steinsiek.ch
How must it feel when your team has been losing consistently for 20 years – and then winning twice within two months? This would be worth asking about the San Marino national team, which, before winning against Liechtenstein in September, last won on April 28, 2004 – also against Liechtenstein in a friendly match. While the result in September was the first competitive win in history, the football fairytale has now taken on even greater proportions.
In Group 1 of League D in the Nations League, which only had three teams, two wins against Liechtenstein and a draw against Gibraltar were enough for the 210th and last place in the FIFA world rankings to win the group. The joy of everyone involved was evident during the game, the whole bench cheered when the goals were scored, and when the equalizer came everyone sprinted onto the field to celebrate together. The 3-1 was the first away win in history – and the biggest win ever. Curious: All three wins were against Liechtenstein.
final table, Liga d, group 1
1. San Marino, 5:3 goals, 7 points
2. Gibraltar, 4:3 goals, 6 points
3. Liechtenstein, 3:6 goals, 2 points
There is also pure ecstasy on the dwarf state's social media channel on Liechtenstein initially took the lead with a dream goal, Lazzari equalized after the half-time break, before Nanni made everything clear with a penalty and Golinucci.
“I swear, this isn't a dream,” is the translation on X. And: “We're going up, I'm going to cry.” Bigger opponents are now waiting in the next edition of the Nations League: Instead of Liechtenstein and Gibraltar, it could be against opponents like Belarus, Cyprus or Estonia.
