There are results that simply end up in the record books, and others that, for what they represent, are worth far more than three points. The 9-1 scoreline with which San Marino’s Under-15 national team overwhelmed Liechtenstein belongs, without a doubt, to the second category.
It was one of those mornings destined to remain etched in the memory of San Marino football. Not just because of the size of the scoreline, remarkable in itself, but above all because it was built by very young players, protagonists of a performance full of personality, quality, intensity and a fearless desire to play football.
And to think that at Dogana the match had started in the worst possible way. After just one minute, Liechtenstein was already ahead. San Marino, however, did not lose its composure. Two minutes later, Sensoli restored parity. From that moment on, a genuine blue-and-white avalanche began.
Valentini scored a hat-trick, Macina found the net and contributed to building the offensive plays, Meloni scored twice, while in the second half Rattini and Berardi also got on the scoresheet. Berardi put the exclamation mark on the day with a stunning volley from outside the box that flew into the top corner. In between, San Marino even allowed itself the luxury of missing a penalty.
The final scoreboard reads San Marino 9, Liechtenstein 1. But stopping at the numbers would mean telling only part of the story.
Di Spirito’s side in fact closed the UEFA Development Tournament with five points, having also secured a penalty-shootout win on matchday one. The final third-place finish, behind Gibraltar and Andorra, almost fades into the background compared to what these young players showed throughout the week.
The tournament was won by Gibraltar, who beat Andorra 3-0 on the final matchday to climb to seven points. Andorra finished second with six, San Marino third with five, and Liechtenstein ended the competition without a single point.
For San Marino football, though, what remains above all is a 9-1 that will be hard to forget. A resounding victory, certainly, but also something more: a sign that by investing in young players, giving them time, tools and opportunities to test themselves at international level, San Marino too can produce days like this.
And perhaps this is the most important outcome left by the tournament: seeing a very young generation take to the pitch wearing the colours of the Titano and prove they can play, score and win with confidence.
Nine goals in one morning. A small page for international football, but an enormous one for these young players and for San Marino.
