National team, a defeat that is hard to explain after an even match with Belarus

San Marino’s first away trip in Group C1 of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League brought a familiar opponent: Belarus, the side against whom the Biancazzurri made their official debut in Europe’s newest national-team competition back in 2018.

The approach from Cevoli’s men – with Golinucci back from suspension – is positive and enterprising. On 13 minutes, a flicked header from Nanni releases the captain, who then delivers a dangerous cross towards Giacopetti, only to see him beaten to the ball at the last moment. San Marino are just as tidy in their own defensive third, as shown when Cevoli, with a sliding intervention, gets there before Melnichenko, who had been picked out by a quick cross from the right. Shortly afterwards Lazzari wins a free-kick near the edge of the area, which Capicchioni hammers towards the near post to test Pavlyuchenko. From a similar situation, Gromyko goes within centimetres of Colombo’s upright, with the goalkeeper appearing to have it covered. Right on the halfway mark of the first period, San Marino can thank the frame of the goal: Melnichenko’s powerful header crashes off the crossbar before rebounding onto Colombo. The ball remains dangerously in the area, but the Biancazzurri defence manages to clear the danger. The Titani hit back with a driving run from Zannoni and then a through ball for Lazzari, who fails to find the right weight of pass for the onrushing Nanni. A few minutes later, Capicchioni sets off on a coast-to-coast run that ends with a wayward effort with his left. On the half-hour mark comes bad news: Nanni is shown a yellow card – his second in three games – which rules him out of the trip to Tirana in three days’ time. Five minutes later Colombo distinguishes himself with a fine save at the feet of the ever-dangerous Melnichenko, set free by a neat exchange on the edge of the box. The tempo is high, with constant end-to-end play: towards the end of the half, promising moves involving Nanni and Capicchioni cause problems for the Belarus back line. Just before stoppage time, Goncharenko’s side also threaten from a set piece, but Colombo – who complained of a foul not spotted by the referee – deals with it with the help of Zannoni. And so, after a very even and entertaining first half, the match is perfectly balanced, with both goals still intact.

The second half begins with one substitution apiece, Mularoni replacing Golinucci. Unfortunately, the main development is the lightning-fast opener for Belarus – scoring with their very first attack through Kontsevoi, who does well to shield the ball in the box, turn onto his right foot and slot into the far corner. San Marino respond magnificently, creating four scoring chances in as many minutes. First, Zannoni is denied by the legs of a defender after being set up on the edge of the box by Nanni’s lay-off. From the resulting corner, Capicchioni almost scores directly from the flag, sparking two minutes of sheer brilliance from Pavlyuchenko. Moments later, following an excellent move by Lazzari, the Belarus goalkeeper produces a stunning save to prevent a certain goal from Zannoni, who had arrived at the far post to meet the cross. The ensuing tap-in from Nanni again brings out the reflexes of a keeper who is rapidly becoming the man of the match, and who is then helped by the crossbar immediately after yet another save. The left-footed effort from Mularoni on the hour mark, struck from a central position, is more comfortable for him. It may be hard to believe, but Shumanski’s wonder goal on 65 minutes actually allows Goncharenko’s side to breathe easier as they double their lead, still against the run of play. Now Belarus are flying on the wings of confidence and the Titani, understandably, feel the blow of a harsh 2-0 scoreline – and are then caught out when trying to deal with the run of Ebong, who finishes from the heart of the area.

UEFA Nations League, Group C1 – Matchday 3 | Belarus – San Marino 3-0

BELARUS (4-4-2)

Pavlyuchenko; Begunov (55’ Kalinin), Volkov, Gomanov, Pechenin; Kontsevoi, Ebong (70’ Bocharov), Yablonskiy, Gromyko (55’ Shumanskiy); Melnichenko (74’ Barkovski), Simanenka (46’ Lisakovich)

Substitutes: Kudravets, Lapoukhov, Tsikhamirau, Galyata, Kovalev, Malashevich, Lukashov

Head coach: Viktor Gancharenko

SAN MARINO (4-3-1-2)

Colombo; G. Benvenuti (75’ Fabbri), Cevoli, Pasolini, Giocondi (67’ Tosi); Zannoni, L. Capicchioni (83’ Meloni), Golinucci (46’ Mularoni); Lazzari (67’ Pancotti); Giacopetti, Nanni

Substitutes: Hoël, De Angelis, Rossi, Protti, Salicioni, Della Balda, Bugli

Head coach: Roberto Cevoli

Referee: Alexandros Tsakalidis (GRE)

Assistant referees: Polychronis Kostaras (GRE), Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)

Fourth official: Michail Matsoukas (GRE)

VAR: Spyridon Zampalas (GRE)

AVAR: Ioannis Papadopoulos (GRE)

Scorers: 46’ Kontsevoi

Booked: Nanni, Golinucci, Begunov, Giacopetti, L. Capicchioni, Pasolini, Barkovski, Kalinin

Notes: match played behind closed doors on neutral ground (Budapest, HUN)