How San Marino, FIFA’s worst-ranked team, gained promotion to UEFA Nations League | Football News
Fifa’s lowest-ranked nation San Marino created hory on Monday beating side promoted to the third tier of the Nations League with the first away win in their hory – a 3-1 victory over Liechtenstein.
For the record, the San Marino squad, ranked 210th in the world, is made up of office workers, personal trainers, students, a graphic designer, and one full-time professional – Nicola Nanni, who plays his club football for Torres in Serie C, the third tier in Italy.
Their win over Liechtenstein was also the first time they scored more than once in a competitive game and the first time they had scored three goals in any match.
San Marino come from behind to beat Liechtenstein and it means the world to them 🇸🇲
It’s only their third-ever win and it’s delivered a change in UEFA Nations League group 🤩
Watch 📲 https://t.co/asxYN8w5Ek#NationsLeague #UNL pic.twitter.com/7Ocx5cj2HY
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) November 18, 2024
The minnows’ two previous victories also came against Liechtenstein – a friendly in 2004 and a Nations League game in September, both 1-0 and both in San Marino.
The country with a population of just over 30,000 known for its beautiful views, traditional cakes, and for being the world’s oldest surviving republic, have lost 199 of the 211 fixtures they have contested and have conceded 10 or more goals in seven games.
On Monday, they staged an amazing fightback. Trailing at half-time, San Marino won thanks to strikes from Lorenzo Lazzari and Alessandro Golinucci, and Nanni’s penalty. With their win, they finished the group one point ahead of Gibraltar with whom they drew 1-1 on Friday thanks to a last-gasp Nanni spot-kick.
“Apart from suffering the serious risk of heart attack, all I can say is that these boys made hory tonight,” said a visibly emotional Marco Tura, the president of the San Marino Football Federation.
“As people, as athletes, as men they have shown what they are worth… I cried with the boys.”
