San Marino score three goals in a match for the first time ever as they secure historic Nations League promotion

They've only gone and done it. San Marino, the lowest ranked team in the world, have beaten Liechtenstein to secure Nations League promotion and a chance of being in the World Cup play-offs.

Ahead of kick-off at the Rheinpark Stadion, Roberto Cevoli's side needed a win over their fellow minnows to finish above Gibraltar in their Nations League group.

Given what happened on September 5, when San Marino ended the longest winless run in international football history [140 games] with a 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein, there was a realistic chance of promotion.

And just months after 19-year-old Nicko Sensoli scored the only goal of that game, they produced another historic win on Monday night to secure a place in League C – a feat nobody nobody thought possible.

Goals from Lorenzo Lazzari, Nicola Nanni and Alessandro Golinucci sealed all three points as they climbed above Gibraltar and into first place.

Not only have they achieved promotion, San Marino now have a chance of being in the World Cup play-offs in March 2026, although it depends on results in the qualifying groups over the next 12 months.

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the scenes.

One said: "San Marino have gone 1-3 up in Liechtenstein. That is the first time San Marino have scored three goals in the same match. Ever. They had only scored two goals in the same match once before. You absolutely love to see it."

A second wrote: "If you’re ever feeling down, just remember humans have been on the planet for 300,000 years and you’re alive at the same time San Marino won two games in one year and got promoted."

A third commented: "San Marino has been promoted, the unthinkable has actually happened," and a fourth said: "Don't like giving UEFA any sort of credit, but creating the Nations League is the best idea they've ever had. Seeing the joy it gives the smaller nations is class, go on San Marino."

😮 What’s happened to San Marino?!

Like buses, you wait 20 years for a victory and then…pic.twitter.com/oYJIFFaBg1

— Calcio England (@CalcioEngland) November 18, 2024

A fifth added: "Tonight, in their 212th competitive fixture, San Marino finally won their first ever away game… Their 3-1 victory was also their biggest win in their history. La Serenissima."

Thoughts on the achievement? Let us know in the comments.