In a tense encounter at the San Marino Stadium in Serravalle, San Marino secured a narrow but vital 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein in their League D, Group D1 clash. This win marked an important moment for San Marino as they ended a long drought of wins on the international stage. Both teams came into this fixture with much to prove, with Liechtenstein eager to secure points and San Marino determined to defend their home ground.
San Marino vs Liechtenstein Pre-Match Overview
Both teams arrived at this match seeking a much-needed morale boost in their respective campaigns. San Marino, often seen as underdogs, looked to capitalize on their home advantage. On the other hand, Liechtenstein hoped to bounce back after recent defeats.
Liechtenstein’s coach, Konrad Fünfstück, opted for a strong lineup featuring key players like Sandro Wieser and captain Nicolas Hasler, while San Marino’s coach, Roberto Cevoli, trusted in his youthful lineup, including forward Nicko Sensoli, who would go on to make history.
San Marino vs Liechtenstein Head-to-Head
In past encounters, Liechtenstein had dominated the fixture, but San Marino, playing in front of a home crowd, looked eager to turn the tide. Historically, the clash between these two teams has been tight, with both sides struggling to secure victories in international competitions.
San Marino vs Liechtenstein Lineups
Here are the San Marino National Football Team vs Liechtenstein National Football Team lineups today (Sep 5, 2024)
San Marino Starting XI (4-4-2):
- Goalkeeper: Colombo
- Defenders: G. Benvenuti, Cevoli, Rossi, Tosi
- Midfielders: Contadini, Capicchioni, A. Golinucci, Valli Casadei
- Forwards: Sensoli, Nanni
Liechtenstein Starting XI (4-5-1):
- Goalkeeper: B. Büchel
- Defenders: Göppel, N. Beck, M. Büchel, Saglam
- Midfielders: Wieser, Sele, Luque Notaro, N. Hasler, S. Wolfinger
- Forward: Zünd
San Marino vs Liechtenstein First Half Summary
The first half was an intense and closely contested affair, with both teams testing each other’s defenses. San Marino seemed determined to dominate possession early on, and they came close to scoring on several occasions.
Liechtenstein’s defense, led by N. Beck and Göppel, did well to absorb the pressure, while San Marino relied heavily on their forwards, Sensoli and Nanni, to create opportunities. The best chance of the first half came in the 45th minute when San Marino’s Tosi missed the target after a free-kick, and the teams entered the break goalless.
San Marino vs Liechtenstein Second Half: Sensoli Strikes
The second half saw San Marino pushing with more intent. In the 53rd minute, San Marino’s forward Nicko Sensoli broke the deadlock with a brilliant goal, capitalizing on a mistake by Liechtenstein’s defense. A quick break allowed Sensoli to slot the ball past goalkeeper Büchel, sending the San Marino fans into wild celebrations.
Liechtenstein tried to respond immediately, with substitute Livio Meier and Luque Notaro pushing forward, but San Marino’s defense, marshaled by captain Dante Rossi, remained resolute. San Marino’s goalkeeper, Colombo, made a few crucial saves to preserve their lead.
San Marino vs Liechtenstein Fouls
As the match wore on, Liechtenstein became more desperate to find an equalizer. This resulted in a flurry of fouls, leading to yellow cards for both teams. San Marino’s Mi. Battistini and Rossi, along with Liechtenstein’s Wieser and Hasler, were cautioned during the tense closing minutes.
Liechtenstein’s final attempt came in the 90+7th minute, when Martin Marxer missed a crucial chance, sending the ball wide, much to the relief of the San Marino players and fans.
San Marino vs Liechtenstein Full-Time: San Marino 1-0 Liechtenstein
The referee’s final whistle confirmed San Marino’s hard-fought victory. Nicko Sensoli’s 53rd-minute strike proved to be the difference as San Marino celebrated a rare and precious win on home soil. This victory lifted their spirits and gave them an important three points in the group standings.
San Marino vs Liechtenstein Stats
Here are the San Marino National Football Team vs Liechtenstein National Football Team stats.
- Goals: San Marino 1, Liechtenstein 0
- Shots: San Marino 9, Liechtenstein 8
- Shots on Target: San Marino 3, Liechtenstein 2
- Possession: San Marino 46%, Liechtenstein 54%
- Fouls: San Marino 14, Liechtenstein 15
- Yellow Cards: San Marino 3, Liechtenstein 2
- Offsides: San Marino 2, Liechtenstein 1
San Marino vs Liechtenstein Impact on Points Table
San Marino’s victory boosted their position in League D, Group D1, moving them up to third place with three points. Liechtenstein, on the other hand, remained at the bottom of the group, still without a point. This win gave San Marino hope of climbing further up the table, potentially challenging for second place in future fixtures.
San Marino vs Liechtenstein Man of the Match
Without a doubt, Nicko Sensoli’s match-winning goal made him the standout performer of the night. His composed finish in the 53rd minute ensured that San Marino took home all three points. Sensoli’s energy and determination throughout the match earned him the Man of the Match award.
San Marino’s historic 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein was a testament to their perseverance and resilience. This match will be remembered as a rare and important triumph for a team often considered underdogs on the international stage. Liechtenstein will reflect on missed opportunities, but for San Marino, this win could spark new hope in their League D1 campaign.
