September 06, (THEWILL) – San Marino achieved a remarkable milestone on Thursday by winning their first competitive match in 20 years. The small European nation defeated Liechtenstein 1-0 in a Nations League D game, marking only their second victory ever in international football.
The match, played between two of the lowest-ranked teams in FIFA’s standings, saw 19-year-old Nicko Sensoli score the decisive goal in the 53rd minute. This triumph ended a 140-match winless streak for San Marino, dating back to their only previous win against Liechtenstein in a 2004 friendly.
The victory was especially significant for the young goalscorer, Sensoli, who was not even born when San Marino last tasted success. The final whistle, which came after eight minutes of added time, sparked jubilant celebrations among the home fans at the San Marino stadium.
This win propels San Marino to the top of Group 1 in League D, which also includes Gibraltar. It represents a turning point for the nation’s football team, which has long struggled in international competitions.
The result is likely to boost morale and interest in football within San Marino, potentially inspiring a new generation of players.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
