National Team, friendly goes Malta’s way as Nanni moves up to 4 goals in Biancazzurro

The fourth meeting between Malta and San Marino is played on the island, as was one of the previous encounters. Up to now it has always been the Reds who celebrated, both in the only friendly before today (3-2 in Serravalle, 2012) and in the UEFA Nations League double header (1-0 and 2-0, 2022). Cevoli confirms eight of the starters who faced Bosnia and Herzegovina, handing starts to Giocondi, Tosi and Mularoni – the latter wearing the captain’s armband – from the first minute. The front three of Contadini, Nanni and Berardi is unchanged.

It is an uphill start for the Titani, who in the 5th minute can only applaud Cardona’s individual brilliance. The striker turns at around thirty metres from goal and unleashes a thunderous right-footed effort from distance which beats Colombo in the bottom corner. After the early setback San Marino organise their response, which takes shape through a one-two between Contadini and Nanni – released in the box for a right-footed strike that fails to surprise Bonello. From a goal of real quality to a scrappy second: Malta frees Joseph Mbong down the right flank, his deep cross catches the Titani out and, after Cardona’s double attempt, the ball ricochets off Guillaumier’s right foot and inadvertently puts Muscat on the scoresheet for the second time in his career against San Marino.

San Marino threaten through Fabbri, who forces Bonello into action with a header following a corner. A minute later Chauref tests Colombo, while just before the half-hour mark a splendid through ball from Berardi sends Tosi bursting forward. His cross arrives instantly for Nanni, who controls and shifts the ball onto his right: Pepe reads it and prevents a certain goal. Malta then go back on the attack: a long ball from the back picks out Paul Mbong, who escapes Fabbri’s marking. The forward remains ice-cold when he reaches Colombo and makes it 3-0. Before the interval there is controversy at both ends from two corners. From Malta’s set-piece, a tussle breaks out after a flailing arm by Cardona catches Fabbri: once the referee has restored order, he decides that both the Maltese forward and Filippo Berardi are worthy of a red card – even if the reason for the sanction against the San Marino player is difficult to understand. When play resumes, San Marino win a corner of their own and Contadini is blatantly pushed while rising to head: penalty for the Titani, which allows Nicola Nanni, with an intelligent central strike at mid-height, to get his team back into the game and move clear on four goals in the National Team’s all-time scorers’ list.

At the start of the second half it is San Marino who show more conviction, going close with a free-kick from Capicchioni and a flowing move initiated by Tosi and continued by Nanni and Contadini, culminating in a curling right-footed effort from Zannoni which grazes the top corner with the goalkeeper beaten. In addition to Pasolini’s introduction at the break, the 58th minute sees cameos for Riccardi, Valentini and above all Salicioni – making his full debut for the National Team. But it is another substitute, Giacopetti, who produces the move that almost puts San Marino right back in it: a lovely exchange with Capicchioni allows the latter to shoot from inside the area – only to be denied by Bonello’s reflex save. Even more spectacular is Colombo’s effort two minutes later, as he prevents a Maltese fourth from Chouaref – without doubt the best player on the pitch.

In the closing stages Malta take the sting out of the game, defending with organisation and effectiveness against San Marino’s relentless attempts to carry danger to the edge of the hosts’ penalty area. At Chivulete’s final whistle it is the Reds who celebrate, thanks above all to a first half played on the verge of perfection.

International friendlies, 2025 | Malta-San Marino 3-1

MALTA (4-2-3-1)

Bonello; Muscat (72’ Beerman), Shaw, Pepe (46’ Borg), Corbolan; Guillaumier, Satariano (64’ Yankam); J. Mbong (64’ Reid), P. Mbong (64’ Magri Overend), Chouaref; Cardona

Substitutes: Sissons, Al-Tumi, Mentz, Grech, Nwoko, Scicluna, Paiber

Head coach: Emilio De Leo

SAN MARINO (4-3-3)

Colombo; Giocondi, Cevoli (58’ Valentini), Fabbri (46’ Pasolini), Tosi (58’ Riccardi); Mularoni (58’ Salicioni), L. Capicchioni (75’ Valli Casadei), Zannoni; Contadini, Nanni (66’ Giacopetti), Berardi

Substitutes: Zavoli, Amici, Matteoni, G. Capicchioni, Vitaioli, Sensoli, Meloni, Riggioni

Head coach: Roberto Cevoli

Referee: Andrei Chivulete (ROU)

Assistant referees: George Neacsu (ROU), Marius Badea (ROU)

Fourth official: Ishmael Barbara (MLT)

Scorers: 5’ Cardona, 11’ Muscat, 34’ P. Mbong, 45+2’ (p) Nanni

Booked: L. Capicchioni, Satariano

Sent off: Cardona, Berardi

Attendance: 2,500 spectators