League: ever-reliable Prandelli inspires Tre Fiori, Virtus win but remain five points back

Nothing changes at the top after today’s late kick-offs on Matchday 20 of the 2025-26 Campionato Sammarinese. League leaders Tre Fiori record yet another win and an eighth consecutive clean sheet thanks to a 2-0 success over Domagnano. The brighter start is made by Girolomoni’s side – their coach having been presented before kick-off with the award for January Coach of the Month, in partnership with “Il Lanificio” – but the first clear chance falls to Amati’s Giallorossi. On 21 minutes Bonetti spins on the edge of the box and unleashes a powerful strike, but Nardi produces a stunning reflex save to keep it out. The response from the league leaders is not long in coming and on 32 minutes they go in front through the inevitable Prandelli, who takes advantage of Bernardi’s lay-off and beats Papi as he comes out. Domagnano do not give in and, on the hour mark, Santi has a great chance to equalise from a through ball by Sopranzi, but the San Marino forward fails to hit the target. Tre Fiori look to put the game to bed and Bernardi goes close, but Papi produces a superb stop, mirroring Nardi’s heroics in the first half. The game remains in the balance and on 77 minutes Domagnano are centimetres away from levelling as Perazzini meets a cross with an excellent header. Then, on 84 minutes, Prandelli strikes again – his 15th league goal of the season. The move is orchestrated by Nicko Sensoli, who plays in behind for Censoni; the winger gets down the right and squares for the marksman, who makes no mistake. The drama is still not over, because in added time Sopranzi’s free-kick from the edge of the box crashes against the crossbar and bounces down on the goal line, allowing Nardi to preserve both the result and his unbeaten run. Tre Fiori thus take another three points, their eighth win on the spin, and remain undefeated.

Chasing the Gialloblù are Virtus, who claim a comprehensive 3-0 victory over San Marino Academy and stay five points off the top. It is a comfortable afternoon for Bizzotto’s side, who go close after just ten minutes when Amati clips the crossbar. On 13 minutes, however, Virtus do break the deadlock: a cross from Zenoni – named Player of the Month before kick-off with the MVP award, in partnership with NTS Sport – picks out Piscitella at the far post, and he connects superbly with a fine right-footed volley to score his first goal in the Neroverdi shirt. The Academy try to respond towards the end of the half with a right-footed effort from distance by Yazici, but Passaniti gets down, gathers at the second attempt and snuffs out the danger. After the break Virtus push for a second, but Scappini’s header comes back off the post. Five minutes later the Neroverdi do find their second: once again it is Zenoni providing the assist, this time for Buonocunto, who curls a right-footed finish across goal from inside the area to beat Conti. Virtus keep coming and Scappini hits the woodwork for the third time on the day for his side (73’). The frame of the goal is certainly busy this afternoon in Fiorentino, because the Academy are denied by it as well when Markaj spins and shoots right-footed. After so much pressure, Scappini finally gets his reward, both for himself and for Virtus: on 83 minutes Zenoni drives half the length of the pitch and, once he reaches the by-line, cuts the ball back (his third assist of the game) for the striker, who slides in to make it 3-0. It is the goal that wraps up the contest in Fiorentino and keeps Virtus firmly in second place behind Tre Fiori.

It is a Sunday of home wins, because Folgore are celebrating as well after a resounding 4-0 over Fiorentino. In Montecchio the deadlock is broken on 17 minutes when a handball in the area by Luca Evaristi results in a penalty for the Falciano side. Pancotti steps up and makes it 1-0. Lasagni’s men continue to press in search of a second, which is denied on 32 minutes by a superb goal-line clearance from Costantini – keeping out Raschi – that is worth a goal in itself. Shortly afterwards, though, Folgore do double their advantage: a delightful free-kick delivery from Raschi is met by the head of Augusto Garcia Rufer (his third goal in two games) to make it 2-0. Fiorentino are on the ropes and cannot find a way out, as less than a minute later they are hit by another heavy blow from the Giallorossoneri: Malaponti wins the ball on the edge of the area and feeds Raschi, who, having already provided an assist, now gets his name on the scoresheet. After the restart there is still time for Folgore to complete the rout, just before the hour mark: Malaponti sends Aversario clear – the forward having been on the pitch for only a minute – and he first gets past Costantini, then rounds goalkeeper Benedettini and slots in the 4-0 goal that effectively ends the contest early. It is a third consecutive win for Folgore, who remain in fourth place.

Below is the full list of early fixtures from Matchday 20 of the 2025-26 Campionato Sammarinese: