San Marino create history as they secure stunning Nations League promotion

San Marino can dream about life in the dizzying heights of League C after they came from behind to beat Liechtenstein 3-1.

Aron Sele put Liechtenstein ahead in the 40th minute, but whatever half-time pep talk San Marino manager Roberto Cevoli gave his side, it certainly worked.

Lorenzo Lazzari equalised within 50 seconds of the restart with a cool finish after he made a darting run between Liechtenstein's centre-backs.

Andrea Contadini picked out Lazzari's run with a inch-perfect pass from inside his own half and the latter did the rest, allowing the ball to bounce before slamming it home past Lichtenstein goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel.

San Marino then went ahead in the 66th minute when Nicola Nanni sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

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If San Marino weren't dreaming of promotion by then, they certainly were ten minutes later.

Cevoli's side patiently worked the ball high up the left side of the field before some intricate passing eventually found left-back Alessandro Tosi, who had driven into the box.

Tosi cut the ball back and straight into the path of Alessandro Golinucci, who slammed home with a sweetly-struck first-time effort.

The 30-year-old was instantly mobbed by his teammates as they recognised how tantalisingly close they were to promotion.

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Golinucci's goal secured the microstate's biggest win in their history, with their first international taking place in 1987.

The records don't stop there as the result was San Marino's first-ever victory on away soil.

Most importantly, the 3-1 scoreline helped San Marino, ranked 210th in the world, finish first in League D Group 1 and subsequently secure promotion to League C.

It was also San Marino's second win in their last six games, with their last triumph, coincidentally against Liechtenstein, ending an agonising 20-year wait for a victory.

The result over Liechtenstein in September was San Marino's first competitive win since they became a UEFA and FIFA member.