League, Libertas and San Giovanni make a move towards the postseason

It doesn’t take long for the first goal of the early kick-offs in Matchday 24 of the 2025-26 Campionato Sammarinese, and it is San Marino Academy who break the deadlock. Bugli intercepts a cross-field pass from Di Fronzo and serves it to the near post for Tamagnini, who finishes with a right-footed shot on 5 minutes. A lightning-quick lead, but a short-lived one: by the quarter-hour mark Faetano have already drawn level through a Zonzini free-kick. On the half-hour mark there is a fine solo run from Gasperoni, whose move ends with Bugli shooting wide. The Little Light Blues regain the lead on 44 minutes, thanks to a powerful header by Mattia Ciacci from a Renzi corner. Sperindio’s side refuse to lie down and restore parity just a few minutes into the second half: Elia picks out the run into the box by Contino, who dives to steer the ball home. The Domagnano encounter still has plenty of drama to offer, and in the 52nd minute the Academy go in front again: Markaj spreads play wide for the run of Tamagnini, who scores with his right foot to complete his brace. Around the hour mark both sides create a chance: a wide free-kick for Faetano and a subsequent knock-down by Tugliani cause a pinball in the box, eventually cleared off the line. Just seconds later, Righi crosses for Tamagnini, who goes close to a hat-trick. The Little Light Blues’ path towards a third win of the season is smoothed by a remarkable own goal by Tugliani, who attempts a header back to Venturini but instead loops it over his own goalkeeper. Faetano slip to -5 from San Giovanni, who also pull away from Pennarossa.

In Montecchio the pivotal clash is played in terms of the battle for the final postseason berths. Libertas make the brighter start, carrying plenty of threat through Guidotti and Davide Nigro. Pennarossa, with Macerata taking charge on the bench for the first time, slowly grow into the game midway through the first half with efforts from Domini and Zahir – both off target from mid-range. There is no mistake on 36 minutes from Morelli, who breaks the deadlock in favour of the Borgo Maggiore club: a scrappy goal following a mishit attempt by Michelotti. The second half opens with a powerful run from Mattia Fabbri, but Manzaroli reads it early and concedes a corner. Pennarossa spend more time in the opposition half, yet the Sammarinese keeper is rarely truly troubled. The same goes for Tordella, beaten by Guidotti in the 64th minute, only for the forward’s effort to be chalked off as he had strayed offside when receiving from Patrik Fabbri. The best chance of the second half falls to Gregori, who fails to convert a fine cross from Papa. Libertas all but secure their playoff berth, moving seven points clear of 12th place, currently occupied by Pennarossa – who today sit as the first side outside the postseason spots, five points adrift of the cut-off.

Cosmos-Fiorentino reaches half-time goalless, with the biggest concern being the collision between Semprini and Belward on 22 minutes, in which the goalkeeper comes off worse – though he does return to guard his goal after an eight-minute stoppage. Earlier on, Fiorentino had gone close to taking the lead with an overhead kick by Evaristi – tipped onto the crossbar by Ambrosini. In the 36th minute Cosmos see a goal by Mularoni ruled out for offside against Ceccaroli, while Benedettini has to fly to deny Tomassini. Just before the break, Semprini is called into action as well, saving Belward’s effort. The same scenario is replayed at the start of the second half, with the goalkeeper again decisive to thwart Marco Evaristi. The midfielder is also key on 51 minutes, chasing back to halt Tomassini’s solo charge towards the red-and-blue goal. After a couple of dangerous situations that go begging, Cosmos are hit with the opener, 0-1. The goal bears the signature of Belward, whose shot slips through Rossi’s legs and leaves Semprini helpless on the hour mark. The 2004-born winger also creates a huge chance for Abouzziane, who wastes a superb piece of skill between two opponents that had teed him up, before going close again to doubling the lead with a quarter of an hour remaining. Shortly afterwards Semprini must again be at his best to keep out a powerful diagonal strike from Gjonaj – keeping Cosmos afloat – not to mention his flying save from Marco Evaristi’s thunderbolt effort on 84 minutes. It is a precious victory for Costantini’s side, who leapfrog today’s opponents to claim the last position guaranteeing direct access to the playoff quarter-finals.

San Giovanni go in at the break two goals to the good, despite an early lapse in concentration that opens up space in the box for Tahiri – denied by Vandi. At the other end, Tognacci’s men take the lead through the Fabbri-D’angeli combination: a driven cross along the by-line from the former, which the striker only has to turn into the net. On 24 minutes Pangrazzi prevents a likely second by getting to the ball ahead of Tumidei with the goal gaping, while Gjyla forces Casadei into a first real save. Just when the Bianconeri seem to be finding a foothold, San Giovanni double their lead from the spot. Zanni makes no mistake, converting the penalty awarded for a handball by De Biagi. Early in the second half Murata protest vehemently, demanding the same treatment for a similar incident at the other end – with Lisi involuntarily involved. Shortly afterwards, one chance apiece for Tahiri and Palumbo, but neither manages to get on the scoresheet. Then Tumidei is unlucky as his curling left-footer crashes back off the far post. Soon after, Murata are back in the game: determined play by Tahiri, who halves the deficit with a left-footed strike at the near post. Earlier, Casadei had produced a phenomenal save from Labas. The scoreline does not change again, to the delight of San Giovanni – who move three points clear of Pennarossa, their main rivals in the race for the playoffs.

Below is the partial schedule for Matchday 24 of the 2025-26 Campionato Sammarinese: