Nations League promotion
San Marino, bottom of the world rankings, celebrates a historic victory
This evening will never be forgotten in San Marino: The small state’s national football team is promoted to the Nations League with a historic away win.
After the surprising first victory in more than 20 years in September, coach Roberto Cevoli’s team celebrated their next success. The 3-1 win in Liechtenstein not only meant the first away win in the history of the small country. With their second competitive win ever, San Marino is promoted to League C of the Nations League.
“Apart from the serious risk of a heart attack, all I can say is that these boys made history tonight,” the visibly moved association president Marco Tura was quoted as saying by the Ansa news agency.
San Marino coach: “Boys were brilliant”
After falling behind, San Marino turned the game in their favor with goals from Lorenzo Lazzari (46th minute), Nicola Nanni (66th/penalty) and Alessandro Golinucci (76th).
On social media, a few San Marino fans were seen in the Rheinpark in Vaduz cheering their team after the final whistle. “Ending the first half 1-0 down was an insult to football, but the boys were brilliant and deserved what they achieved,” said San Marino coach Cevoli.
The country enclosed by Italy, which is in 210th and last place in the FIFA world rankings ahead of the currently unlisted country Eritrea, had already won the first group game against Liechtenstein 1-0 at the beginning of September. Against the same opponent, San Marino achieved their last and only win in an international match on April 28, 2004 (1-0).
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Source: Stern
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