National team: a dream nurtured for 25 years shattered by VAR in the 90’+3

Over 16,000 spectators pack the stands of the Kombëtare Arena in Tirana – the venue for San Marino’s fourth outing in Group C1 of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League. Making his first competitive start for the Titano side is Fausto Salicioni. The forward partners Giacopetti in attack, with Della Balda playing just behind them. Fabbri wears the captain’s armband.

The first scare comes from Dajsinani: less than 200 seconds after kick-off, the home goalkeeper initially miscontrols a back pass, almost gifting a howler. At the other end, Asllani sends a free header from the heart of the San Marino penalty area wide of the target. Muçi fares no better, firing over from the edge of the box. Colombo’s first save arrives in the 7th minute from Manaj’s right-footed effort, set up by a loose touch from one of Cevoli’s men. The opening goal is only a few minutes away and it is a wonder strike from Asllani: after a superb block by Rossi on Manaj, the ball flies out of the area where the Albanian midfielder controls and unleashes a right-footed shot of extraordinary power and precision. San Marino respond with a move down the flanks initiated by Lorenzo Capicchioni, ending with Giacopetti’s attempt – charged down by a defender. Midway through the half a fine intervention by Colombo, with the help of the crossbar, denies Manaj’s thunderous effort. In the 27th minute the Titano side threaten again, with a rocket from Capicchioni that is too central to trouble Dajsinani. From a similar position, on the half-hour, Zannoni has a go: excellent build-up, right-footed effort just wide. Albania prefer a more patient approach and once more call Colombo into action – decisive with his foot to keep out Manaj’s angled drive. The striker is dangerous in the air as well, but fails to hit the target in the closing stages of the first half. Moments before the break, Giacopetti’s pressure paves the way for Della Balda’s run through on goal; he shoots from a tight angle – still forcing Dajsinani into a reflex save to turn it behind for a corner.

After the restart, the match follows the pattern of the closing phase of the first half, with San Marino more in control despite the home side’s competitive edge remaining very much alive. Dante Rossi dominates the defensive third for San Marino and only around the hour mark do the Eagles become threatening again, with Uzuni’s twisting header rippling the side netting. Shortly afterwards Shehu tries his luck with a powerful drive from a tight angle, bravely blocked by Giocondi’s body. San Marino are anything but on the ropes and prove it soon after: it’s the 66th minute when Lazzari, on the pitch for only a few minutes, meets Capicchioni’s cross to the far post with a first-time finish past Dajsinani. Midway through the second half, the Kombëtare Arena is silenced by the midfielder’s third goal for the national team, making it 1-1. The Titano side ride the wave of enthusiasm, pushing high and pressing persistently in the Albanian final third and penalty area in search of an incredible turnaround. Maran’s men do not crumble and eventually camp again in San Marino’s half, setting up a heart-stopping finale. Albania’s best chance comes in the 83rd minute, when Daku – found free in the box – has to surrender to Pasolini’s monumental block, worth a goal in itself. In the closing stages there is also room for debutant Bugli, who replaces an exhausted Capicchioni – hampered by cramp. The finale is pure passion and shared tension in the stands, on the pitch and on the benches. For over 16,000 spectators a disastrous result is looming, while for a few dozen fans a dream to be cherished for years is taking shape. On 90 minutes exactly, Colombo flies to the top corner to deny Asllani a classy brace and, from the ensuing corner, a deflected shot leads to a dramatic penalty for Albania – awarded after an on-field review ordered by the VAR. In the thrilling finale, between Asllani and Colombo, the home midfielder picks the right corner – shattering an extraordinary result that was just minutes away, though not the value of the performance – once again today – from Roberto Cevoli’s players.

UEFA Nations League, Group C1 – Matchday 4 | Albania – San Marino 2-1

ALBANIA (4-3-3)

Dajsinani; Hysaj, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Mitaj (71’ Ramadani); Shehu (71’ Daku), Asllani, Pilo; Muçi (46’ Mehmeti), Manaj, Hoxha (56’ Uzuni)

Substitutes: Simoni, Taho, Cake, Hasa, Aliji, Shpendi, Kumbulla, Sulejmanov

Head coach: Rolando Maran

SAN MARINO (4-3-1-2)

Colombo; Fabbri, Cevoli (59’ G. Benvenuti), Rossi (64’ Pasolini), Giocondi; Meloni (59’ Lazzari), L. Capicchioni (86’ Bugli), Zannoni; Della Balda; Giacopetti, Salicioni (59’ Pancotti)

Substitutes: Hoël, De Angelis, G. Capicchioni, Protti, Tosi, Golinucci, Bugli, Mularoni

Head coach: Roberto Cevoli

Referee: Mehmet Türkmen (TUR)

Assistant referees: Ibrahim Uyarcan (TUR), Anil Usta (TUR)

Fourth official: Oguzhan Çakir (TUR)

VAR: Onur Özütoprak (TUR)

AVAR: Erkan Engin (TUR)

Scorers: 11’ and 90+3’ (p) Asllani, 66’ Lazzari

Booked: Fabbri, Cevoli, Giocondi, Giacopetti

Attendance: 16,402