Jubilant scenes as San Marino register first competitive win

Nicko Sensoli’s goal earns historic 1-0 League D victory

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024 - 08:53

San Marino have beaten Liechtenstein 1-0 in the Nations League’s fourth tier, securing their first-ever competitive victory after 34 years of trying.

Nicko Sensoli scored the only goal of the game in Serravalle, the teenager pouncing on a defensive error and steering the ball past keeper Benjamin Büchel in the 53rd minute. Liechtenstein’s Fabio Luque Notaro had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half and also saw a close-range shot blocked just before Sensoli’s opener.

🇸🇲 SAN MARINO WIN A GAME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20+ YEARS & A COMPETITIVE MATCH FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!

History is made as the worst team in the FIFA rankings (210th) finally end the longest winless run in international football history (140 games dating back to April 2004)!!! pic.twitter.com/xbB3M2WQUE
— The Sweeper (@SweeperPod) September 5, 2024

The hosts held on for eight minutes of injury time to win to spark wild celebrations for the team currently ranked 210th and last in Fifa’s world rankings. San Marino’s win means they are also top of the Nations League group they share with Liechtenstein and Gibraltar.

The tiny republic surrounded by Italy played their first qualifier in 1990 and have never won a competitive match. San Marino’s only previous victory – also a 1-0 win over Liechtenstein – came in a 2004 friendly, played before Sensoli was born. The side’s competitive record before Thursday’s win read: won zero, drawn five, lost 171.