San Marino Promoted After First Away Win
San Marino, the lowest-ranked team in FIFA, has made football history by earning their first-ever away win with a 3-1 victory over Liechtenstein. The monumental result also secured their promotion to League C of the Nations League.
The win is only the second competitive win in San Marino’s history, with their first coming just two months ago against the same opposition when playing at home. San Marino finished top of Group D1 with seven points, edging out Gibraltar by a single point.
Until recently, San Marino was synonymous with heavy defeats. Their 140-game winless streak, which included double-digit losses to footballing giants, seemed unbreakable. But the Nations League has offered smaller teams a platform to compete, and San Marino seized the opportunity.
"This team showed incredible spirit," said manager Roberto Cevoli, who took over last year. “Finishing that first half 1-0 down was an insult to football, but the boys were brilliant and deserved what they’ve managed to achieve.”
This win wasn’t just about promotion; it also shattered multiple records. It was the first time San Marino had scored three goals in a match and came back from behind to win. The players celebrated on the pitch, and Marco Tura, president of San Marino's Football Federation, declared, “These boys made history tonight. As people, as athletes, as men, they have shown what they are worth.”
For a nation with just three competitive wins since 1990, this success is more than just numbers. It’s a story of perseverance, belief, and a newfound hope in the beautiful game.
