San Marino, world's lowest-ranked team, wins 1st match in 20 years
The drought is over.
San Marino tasted victory for the first time in 20 years, defeating Liechtenstein 1-0 in the opening match of its 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign.
Sitting 210th - last place - in the men's FIFA rankings, San Marino went into Thursday's game with a single previous win in its history, a friendly triumph over the same opponent in April 2004. That was 7,436 days ago.
The landlocked nation, enclaved by northeastern Italy, had never before won a competitive fixture.
🇸🇲 SAN MARINO WIN A GAME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20+ YEARS & A COMPETITIVE MATCH FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!
— The Sweeper (@SweeperPod) September 5, 2024
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
Nicko Sensoli, a 19-year-old midfielder who plays in the semiprofessional fourth tier of Italian soccer, scored the only goal of Thursday's contest, pouncing on a defensive error and finding the net in the 53rd minute to deliver the historic result.
Liechtenstein, ranked 199th in the world, pushed for a late equalizer deep into stoppage time but couldn't find the goal it needed to extend San Marino's winless streak.
The final whistle was greeted by jubilation on the pitch and in the stadium as San Marino celebrated its first win in 140 games.