San Marino Secures First-Ever Away Win on 101st Attempt, Clinching Nations League Promotion

San Marino, the world’s lowest-ranked men’s national team, achieved a historic milestone by earning promotion in the Nations League with a 3-1 victory over Liechtenstein.

This remarkable feat is even more impressive given San Marino’s status as a tiny microstate entirely surrounded by Italy, with a population of just over 35,000. Composed primarily of part-time players with other jobs, the team had never won a competitive match until 2023.

While San Marino defeated Liechtenstein 1-0 in a friendly back in 2004, it took nearly two decades for another victory, which came in September when Nicko Sensoli’s goal secured a 1-0 home win against the same opponent. Drawn alongside Gibraltar and Liechtenstein in Group 1 of League D in the Nations League, San Marino’s campaign included a loss and a draw against Gibraltar before their emphatic win in Vaduz sealed promotion to League C.

Goals from Lorenzo Lazzari, Nicola Nanni, and Alessandro Golinucci not only marked San Marino’s first-ever away win in 101 attempts but also the first time they’ve scored three goals in a single match. Previously, their highest tally in any game was two, achieved only once in a friendly.

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Despite these achievements, San Marino remains at the bottom of FIFA’s rankings, placed 210th since 2023. The team has lost 199 of their 211 matches, with their heaviest defeat a 13-0 thrashing by Germany in 2006. That infamous game saw braces from Lukas Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose, and Thomas Hitzlsperger, alongside goals from Michael Ballack, Manuel Friedrich, and Bernd Schneider.

Reflecting on San Marino's historic September victory over Liechtenstein, head coach Roberto Cevoli described the occasion as nothing short of magical.

"It was the perfect evening," Cevoli said. "We scored a goal, and we could have scored more, and we didn't let one in.

"I couldn't have asked for anything better. I'm so happy for the players and for the federation, which deserves this so much."