San Marino Ends 20-Year Winless Streak with Historic Victory

San Marino made history by securing their first competitive victory defeating Liechtenstein 1-0 in the Nations League. This win not only ended their 20-year winless streak but also marked only their second-ever victory in international football. Their last win, coincidentally came against the same opponent in 2004. Nicko Sensoli a 19-year-old player from the Italian fourth tier scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute.

His lob over Liechtenstein goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel ignited wild celebrations among San Marino’s players and fans. The team then defended resiliently to protect their lead, earning a long-awaited and historic result. San Marino, ranked the lowest in the world by FIFA had lost 196 of their 206 matches and suffered heavy defeats including a 10-0 loss to England in a World Cup qualifier in 2021.

However, signs of improvement have been visible recently. In October 2023, they scored their first competitive goal in two years, narrowly losing 2-1 to Denmark in a Euro 2024 qualifier. They also drew 0-0 with Saint Kitts and Nevis in March. San Marino, a small country surrounded by Italy has a population of just 33,000 and covers only 61 square kilometers about half the size of Manchester.

Despite their challenges on the football field, this victory represents a significant moment for the team and their loyal supporters.