San Marino’s national team closed out its last home match of 2026 with a defeat. Belarus won 2-0 thanks to first-half goals from Gomanov and Kontsevoi. The Titans created several chances to get back into the game but were unable to convert them.
With the suspended Giacopetti unavailable, Roberto Cevoli fielded Gabriel Capicchioni alongside Nicola Nanni, with Lazzari playing just behind them. The first threat came from a Lorenzo Capicchioni corner that struck the near post.
The visitors went ahead in the 13th minute through Gomanov, who headed home from Gromyko’s cross. Nanni had a chance to respond but was denied by goalkeeper Lapoukhov coming off his line. In the 17th minute Kontsevoi doubled the lead, controlling a pass from Simanenka before firing in under the crossbar.
San Marino stayed in the contest and created their clearest opportunity in the 28th minute: from Giocondi’s cross, flicked on by Gabriel Capicchioni’s heel, Nanni fired over the bar from a promising position.
In the second half, Belarus pushed for a third goal but were kept out by an alert Colombo, who denied efforts from Bocharov and Melnichenko. Gromyko, meanwhile, wasted a chance by shooting over the crossbar.
Cevoli also brought on Andrea Contadini, back after a long injury layoff. Late in the match, it was Contadini who tested Lapoukhov with a left-footed effort from a corner kick.
Svirepa’s sending-off for a second booking in the 93rd minute left the visitors down to ten men, but the result stood. On Sunday, the Titans will close out their Nations League campaign away to Finland, without Fabbri: the defender, already on a yellow card, was booked and will serve a suspension.
