Historic Victory for San Marino Against Liechtenstein
San Marino achieved a historic milestone by defeating Liechtenstein 1-3 in Vaduz. This victory marks the first time San Marino has scored three goals in a competitive match and is also their first away win in the national team’s history. This triumph secures their promotion to League C of the UEFA Nations League.
Match Highlights
Aron Sele put the home team Liechtenstein ahead in the 40th minute, leading 1-0 at halftime. However, San Marino rallied in the second half. Lorenzo Lazzari equalized in the 46th minute, followed by Nicola Nanni, who scored from a penalty in the 66th minute. Alessandro Golinucci sealed the victory with a third goal in the 76th minute. San Marino managed 11 shots during the game, one of their highest in the 215 matches they have played.
San Marino’s Football Statistics
San Marino played its first match in 1990 and has since played 215 games, securing only three victories and 11 draws, with 201 losses. They have scored 35 goals and conceded 849, with a win probability of 1.3% and a 6.5% chance of avoiding defeat. The team averages 0.16 goals per game while conceding 3.94 goals per match.
Success in the UEFA Nations League
The UEFA Nations League has been favorable for San Marino, playing against teams of similar capabilities in League D. On September 5, they previously defeated Liechtenstein, and now they have done it again. Before their participation in the Nations League, San Marino had only won one football match, a friendly against Liechtenstein in 2004, which ended 1-0. One of San Marino’s most notable results was a goalless draw against Turkey during the 1994 World Cup qualifiers.
Promotion to League C
With their recent success, San Marino has secured a spot in League C of the UEFA Nations League. They currently top Group 1 in League D with 7 points, followed by Gibraltar with 6 points and Liechtenstein with 2 points. Moldova has advanced from the other group, while Malta and Andorra remain in League D.
San Marino vs. Iceland
Iceland and San Marino have met once before. Aron Elís Þrándarson scored the decisive goal for Iceland, resulting in a 0-1 victory on June 9, 2022. The match was attended by 293 spectators in San Marino. Iceland fielded a young team with an average of eight international caps.
Analysis and Commentary
San Marino’s recent victory against Liechtenstein is a significant achievement for a team with one of the lowest win records in international football. This win not only boosts their morale but also highlights their potential growth in European football. Historically, San Marino has been seen as an underdog, often struggling against more established football nations. However, their progress in the UEFA Nations League suggests that competitive frameworks that allow teams to face similarly matched opponents can foster development and unexpected triumphs.
The importance of this victory extends beyond the statistics; it represents hope and the possibility for smaller nations to achieve success on the international stage. San Marino’s improvement could inspire other teams facing similar challenges, demonstrating that persistence and strategic play can lead to breakthroughs.
Looking ahead, San Marino will face tougher opponents in League C, which will be a true test of their development. However, with the confidence gained from this victory and their promotion, they have the opportunity to build on their success and continue to make history. The football world will be watching to see if San Marino can capitalize on this momentum and further establish themselves as a competitive team in international football.