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

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 2004Line-upsSan Marino

Formation 3-5-2

23Benedettini

16Fabbri6Rossi5Cevoli

2D’Addario17Golinucci10Battistini22Mularoni3Tosi

9Nanni21Lazzari

Substitutes

Denmark

Formation 4-3-3

1Schmeichel

18Jelert4Kjær2Andersen5Mæhle

23Højbjerg15Nørgaard10Eriksen

14Lindstrøm9Højlund21Daramy

Substitutes

Referee:Viktor Kopievskiy

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