Nations League: San Marino hold out for a half before Estonia pull away (0-4)

San Marino’s final UEFA Nations League fixture also doubles as their last home outing at the Stadium. Costantini had been expecting a very different kind of test compared to the match against Seychelles, and so it proved. Estonia arrived in Serravalle top of Group 2 in League D, qualification already in the bag and determined to finish the campaign in style. Costantini went with a 3-5-2, handing starts in defence to the young pair Tosi and Franciosi (both born in 2001, the latter making his senior debut), with Rinaldi and Fabio Tomassini paired up front. On 6 minutes came the first warning from Estonia: from close range Sappinen was just off target. San Marino stood firm in the opening quarter of an hour, often looking to work the left flank with Grandoni and Rinaldi, spurred on by the Stadium at every attempt. On the half-hour mark Estonia broke through on the left, but Benedettini did well to narrow the angle and deny Sappinen. Moments later the visitors attacked down the right, Teniste looking for Anier, and the Biancazzurri defence were forced to concede a corner. In the 38th minute, however, Estonia took the lead: the move was built down the right, captain Vassiljev playing inside to Vashchuk, who skipped past Franciosi and squared for Anier, the striker picking out the far corner for 1-0. It was the Estonian forward’s third consecutive goal in the Nations League. Right at the end of the first half, a Vassiljev free-kick was swung into the box, Sappinen stretched to get a touch but his effort finished just wide. The first period closed with Estonia one goal to the good. At the break Costantini changed his wing-backs, sending on D’Addario and Manuel Battistini for Zafferani and Grandoni. Right at the start of the second half San Marino had a huge chance: Soomets rolled the ball back to centre-back Tamm, who completely missed his clearance, the ball falling to Rinaldi who fired first time towards goal, his shot flashing just wide with the Stadium ready to erupt. But from the very next move Estonia doubled their lead: Ojamaa delivered a sublime cross from the right to the far post, where Teniste rose highest and powered home a perfect header for 2-0. San Marino refused to give in and immediately poured forward: it was in the box that Fabio Tomassini went down under a challenge from Estonian defender Mets, but referee Kateryna Monzul waved play on, deeming there to be no foul. Estonia’s third arrived on 66 minutes, Sappinen curling a fine effort beyond Benedettini and inside the far post. In the 72nd minute, however, the Titans produced an excellent response, with Mularoni flicking on with his head for Manuel Battistini, whose shot from just inside the area was well struck, but keeper Hein reacted sharply to claim it. With just over ten minutes remaining, a through ball from the Estonian midfield sent Anier racing clear; he rounded the onrushing Benedettini and finished. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but after a VAR review it was awarded, making it 4-0 and completing the Estonian striker’s brace. In stoppage time, Elia Benedettini produced a fantastic save to tip over Ojamaa’s powerful strike from distance, preventing a fifth goal and earning the applause of the Stadium. After four minutes of added time, referee Monzul brought proceedings to a close. The Nations League campaign ends for Costantini’s San Marino, who held their own in the first half before succumbing to Estonia after the break.  

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UEFA Nations League | San Marino-Estonia 0-4 SAN MARINO Benedettini; Palazzi, Franciosi, Tosi; Grandoni (46' D'Addario), A. Golinucci (66' Mularoni), Mi. Battistini (66' E. Golinucci), Lunadei, Zafferani (46' Ma. Battistini); F. Tomassini (84' Vitaioli), Rinaldi. Substitutes: Simoncini, S. Benedettini, Ceccaroli, Stefanelli, Censoni, D. Tomassini, Hirsch. Head coach: Fabrizio Costantini ESTONIA Hein; Pürg (61' Baranov), Tamm, Mets; Teniste (61' Miller), Soomets, Vassiljev (83' Tunjov), Vaštšuk (68' Shein), Ojamaa; Sappinen (83' Sorga), Anier. Substitutes: Igonen, Vallner, Pikk, Peetson, Sinyavskiy, Kirss, Kallaste. Head coach: Thomas Häberli   Referee: Kateryna Monzul (UKR) Assistant referees: Maryna Striletska (UKR), Svitlana Grushko (UKR) Fourth official: Anastasiya Romanyuk (UKR) VAR: Dennis Higler (NED) Assistant VAR: Clay Ruperti (NED) Booked: 18' Pürg; 47' Mi. Battistini Scorers: 38' and 79' Anier, 55' Teniste, 66' Sappinen Attendance: 608

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