San Marino make history with a first EVER competitive win as Nicko Sensoli’s strike seals 1-0 win over Liechtenstein

Nicko Sensoli made history when he scored to secure San Marino’s first league victory over Liechtenstein on Thursday evening.

Sensoli took advantage of a moment of indecisiveness at the visitors’ back to collect a promising pass from Giacomo Benvenuti in the penalty area, firing the ball past Benjamin Buchel.

It is no surprise that Sensoli’s heroics – and this on his debut in the league – caused chaos in the stands, with many spectators probably having never seen their team taste victory before.

But that was nothing compared to the scenes on the pitch, where the 19-year-old national hero was mobbed by his teammates, who surrounded the striker who could hardly believe what he had just done.

San Marino’s only other win in their history was a 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein. Top scorer Andy Selva scored the goal that night in 2004, marking a curious twist of fortune between the two countries.

The last half hour of the match was understandably exciting for the Titani, but the home side still had chances to make it 2-0.

The energy and intensity of right winger Andrea Contadini proved to be a thorn in the side of the Liechtenstein defence in the closing stages, but he managed to break free again in the 75th minute.

He had a long way to go on the right and reached the goal area. Instead of straightening the ball and giving Nicolo Nanni an open goal, he went for the win but couldn’t beat Buchel at the near post.

There were signs that San Marino were getting nervous: Lorenzo Capicchioni gave away a corner in the 77th minute under little pressure.

The cameras were rolling around the stadium and not a single home fan was in their seats. Instead, two supporters stood nervously on the bench, some hopping back and forth, others biting their nails, all feeling every second of this memorable night of nights.

The booing began in the final 10 minutes, but San Marino continued to hunt for a second goal. Substitute Marcello Mularoni was stopped by a charging Buchel, before Samuele Zannoni came close again three minutes from time.

But perhaps the greatest joy of all came when teenager Tomasso Benvenuti slotted home a superb free-kick deep into injury time inside Liechtenstein’s half, before letting out a roar and raising his fist as if he had scored the winning goal himself.

But despite the cramps and fatigue that were beginning to affect the pitch, Roberto Cevoli’s team held on. However, that only happened after a final free kick in the 97th minute, which went just wide, although it looked like the ball was touched by a Sammarinese player at the last moment.

The win moves San Marino top of their Nations League group, with third-placed Gibraltar yet to play. However, few expected them to emerge as group winners tonight.

MORE TO COME.