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

With the victory, the world’s lowest-ranked team also ended the longest winning streak in football, according to FIFA, which stretched back two decades and 140 games since they won a friendly in 2004 – also against Liechtenstein and by the same score.

It is only their second victory ever.

Thursday’s decisive goal was scored by 19-year-old Nicko Sensoli, who plays in Italy’s fourth division.

The teenager scored in the 53rd minute, deflecting the ball to goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel, prompting wild celebrations from the players.

San Marino then defended resolutely and achieved a historic result after years of heavy losses.

The little boys have lost 196 of the 206 games they have played in and were beaten 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 were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Denmark in a Euro 2024 qualifier.

And in March they drew 0-0 against Caribbean side Saint Kitts and Nevis.

San Marino is located in the centre of Italy and looks out over the spectacular Mount Titano. The city has just 33,000 inhabitants and covers an area of ​​61 square kilometres. That is about half the size of Manchester.