San Marino made history by winning a competitive match for the first time by beating Liechtenstein in the Nations League.

With the victory, the team ranked worst in the world by FIFA also ended the longest winless streak in football, which stretched back two decades and 140 games until they won a friendly match in 2004 – also against Liechtenstein and with the same result.

It is only her second victory ever.

The decisive goal on Thursday was scored by 19-year-old Nicko Sensoli, who plays in the fourth Italian league.

The teenager struck in the 53rd minute by lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel, sparking wild cheers among the players.

San Marino then defended resolutely and secured the historic result after many years of heavy losses.

The underdog has lost 196 of the 206 matches it has played and was crushed 10-0 by England in a World Cup qualifier in November 2021.

But they have shown signs of improvement since then. In October last year they scored their first competitive goal in two years, but lost narrowly 2-1 to Denmark in a Euro 2024 qualifier.

And in March they played 0-0 against Caribbean team St. Kitts and Nevis.

Surrounded by Italy and dominated by the spectacular Mount Titano, San Marino has a population of just 33,000 and covers just 61 square kilometres – about half the size of Manchester.