San Marino 1-2 Denmark: Minnows end two-year goal drought but lose to Danes

Last updated on 17 October 202317 October 2023.From the section Football

Denmark lost to England in the Euro 2020 semi-final

San Marino scored their first competitive goal in two years but could not hold on to take points from Denmark in their Euro 2024 qualifier.

Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring for Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark.

But Alessandro Golinucci equalised in the 61st minute, sparking wild celebrations from the home team.

Minnows San Marino could not hold on, though, and Yussuf Poulsen’s header put Denmark’s qualification within reach.

The Danes remain second in Group H and could secure qualification with victory over Slovenia in their next match.

San Marino have now lost 83 of their 84 Euro qualifiers, with the only exception a goalless draw with Estonia in 2014.

But, while the team ranked 207th in the world will not feature at the tournament in Germany next year, Golinucci’s volley prompted euphoric celebrations from a team who have suffered defeat in all eight of their Euro 2024 qualifiers so far.

Golinucci slid across the turf as his team-mates, including the bench, all ran to pile on top of their goalscorer.

The goal marks San Marino’s first in a European qualifying match for four years – a period of 12 matches – and their first competitive goal since Nicola Nanni’s consolation during a 7-1 thrashing by Poland in a World Cup qualifier in 2021.

San Marino and Denmark are separated by 189 places in the Fifa rankingsSan Marino’s sole win remains a 1-0 friendly victory over Liechtenstein in 2004

Line-ups

San Marino

Formation 3-5-2

23Benedettini

16Fabbri6Rossi5Cevoli

2D’Addario17Golinucci10Battistini22Mularoni3Tosi

9Nanni21Lazzari

23Benedettini16FabbriBooked at 70minsSubstituted forFranciosiat 88’minutes6Rossi5CevoliSubstituted forVitaioliat 74’minutes2D’AddarioSubstituted forCapicchioniat 55’minutesBooked at 83mins17Golinucci10BattistiniSubstituted forBattistiniat 55’minutes22MularoniBooked at 90mins3Tosi9Nanni21LazzariSubstituted forDi Maioat 75’minutesBooked at 88minsSubstitutes1Simoncini4Capicchioni7Vitaioli8Zafferani11Battistini12Benedettini13Di Maio14Tomassini15Franciosi18Ceccaroli19Magi20Pancotti

Denmark

Formation 4-3-3

1Schmeichel

18Jelert4Kjær2Andersen5Mæhle

23Højbjerg15Nørgaard10Eriksen

14Lindstrøm9Højlund21Daramy

1Schmeichel18JelertSubstituted forSkovat 62’minutes4Kjær2AndersenBooked at 65mins5MæhleSubstituted forKristensenat 90+2’minutes23Højbjerg15Nørgaard10Eriksen14LindstrømSubstituted forPoulsenat 62’minutes9HøjlundSubstituted forJensenat 90+2’minutes21DaramySubstituted forWindat 62’minutesSubstitutes3Nelsson6Christensen7Jensen8Hjulmand11Bruun Larsen12O’Riley13Kristensen16Hermansen17Skov19Wind20Poulsen22Rønnow

Referee:Viktor Kopievskiy