Regions’ Cup: among the first verdicts, NAT San Marino bow out

The X-factor goes missing in the 18:00 fixtures on Matchday 2 of the UEFA Regions’ Cup San Marino 2025, with narrow wins for Vojvodina and Vaud. The Serbians fall behind against Hradec Králové, who are nonetheless forced to cope with Drobný’s dismissal after just 65 seconds (DOGSO). A poacher’s finish from Novotný puts the Czechs ahead, but they are stunned at the death as Vukas completes the comeback on 90+4’ (2-1), after Jelić had levelled midway through the second half. There are as many as five goals in Montecchio, where Boillot and Hanchour (a brace for the latter) put the Swiss firmly in control in just over half an hour. After the break, Länsi-Vantaan Ylpeys haul themselves back into it through Heinonen and Uzun, but are left to rue their missed opportunities at the final whistle (2-3). This combination of results puts qualification for the final within reach of Dolnośląski, with a game to spare. The Poles do not let the chance slip, Bąk striking on 81 minutes to seal victory over Rijeka (1-0).

In the evening kick-off in Acquaviva, NAT San Marino and Aragón face off looking to draw level with Vojvodina at the top of the group and deal a heavy blow to their direct rivals. The Iberians fly out of the blocks, camping in the attacking third without, however, forcing De Angelis into action. At the other end, the Biancazzurri threaten from set plays, also helped by a misplaced pass out from the back by Lite – which the Titans fail to capitalise on. The first real chance comes on 9 minutes, when Charlez bursts clear down the left and cuts the ball back for San Agustín, who squanders a big chance, denied by De Angelis. Moments later Aragón waste another opportunity, clipping the bar with a thunderous strike from Charlez. NAT San Marino try to hit on the break, but Bizzotto’s men lack the quality and cutting edge in the final third to bring their front three into play. It is therefore no surprise when the deadlock is broken on 29 minutes by Rober’s clinical left-foot finish, helped by a fortunate ricochet on the edge of the box but ruthless once inside the area. The Spanish side are inches away from doubling their lead less than ten minutes later: Charlez is thwarted by a miraculous De Angelis intervention and San Agustín’s follow-up, seemingly destined for the net, is blocked by Moretti’s legs. In a first half dominated by Aragón, there is also a crossbar rattled by a Ciriano free-kick to report.

At half-time Bizzotto switches to a back three and a more attack-minded set-up, aware that defeat would mean elimination. On come Guglielmi and Ura, but the first surge of the second half is from Muñoz, whose right-foot rocket shaves the post. NAT San Marino respond with a cushioned header from Moretti looking for Benincasa, but the Spanish backline are sharp in their marking and snuff out the simple tap-in. On the ensuing counter, San Agustín tests De Angelis, who gathers low to his right. Aragón keep pressing and again go close to the frame of the goal with Muñoz on 58 minutes. The Biancazzurri are worryingly stretched all over the pitch and it takes a superb reflex save from De Angelis to keep out Charlez’s strike. Not even the San Marino keeper could have done anything, on 63 minutes, about Muñoz’s missile which crashes against the underside of the bar. NAT San Marino’s third substitution sees Riccardo Colonna introduced; he immediately has a go from distance, but without success. Shortly afterwards, Pancotti wins a free-kick near the by-line, but his delivery is a far cry from the quality that earned the equaliser two days ago. Aragón’s is far more dangerous, as they hit yet another piece of woodwork through Briz’s towering header. There is a woodwork for San Marino as well, straight from De Angelis’s long kick. Ura lays it off first time for Sartini, only just on the pitch; she battles to make room for a left-footed effort from a tight angle which cannons off the angle of post and bar.

All structure goes out of the window in the closing stages, but Aragón keep wasting chances to put the game to bed – as with Charlez on 82 minutes. Soon after, NAT San Marino threaten again with a move down the flank that Benincasa looks to finish with a nutmeg on the edge of the area to create space for his right foot. The Iberian defence collapses well in the middle and, as the action continues, Sartori unleashes a powerful right-foot drive against the body of a defender.

The meeting between NAT San Marino and Aragón ends in a narrow win for the Spanish side, who fully deserve the chance to fight for a place in the final against Vojvodina – a clash they will approach as clear favourites on the evidence so far. It is a brutally tough evening for the Biancazzurri, who are unable to pose a consistent threat or be incisive, and are overwhelmed by the visitors’ relentless aggression. For Civera’s men, the only regret is not having scored at least one more goal – a scenario that would have allowed them to go into Saturday’s match in Montecchio needing only a draw. Because of the higher number of goals scored in the group, with goal difference equal, it would in fact be the Serbians who progress to the final in the event of a draw. NAT San Marino are therefore out of the Final Tournament of the Regions’ Cup, the first ever to feature a San Marino representative side from the outset. Precisely for that reason, in their final outing on Saturday in Acquaviva against Hradec Králové, Bizzotto’s players will be looking to sign off by banking a win.

UEFA Regions’ Cup San Marino 2025 | NAT San Marino – Aragón 0-1

NAT SAN MARINO (4-3-3)

De Angelis; Sartori, Moretti (88’ Senja), Gori, Bottoni (46’ Guglielmi); Lisi (46’ Ura), Gaiani (63’ R. Colonna), Ciacci; Pancotti (72’ Sartini), Benincasa, Bernardi

Substitutes: D. Colonna, Senja, Tomassoni, Corinti, Terenzi

Coach: Luigi Bizzotto

ARAGÓN (4-3-3)

Lite; Pinto, Losin, Espierrez, Rober (64’ Cervera); Muñoz (85’ Torres), Casero, Ciriano (64’ Briz); Chegu (85’ Gracia), San Agustín (77’ Torcal), Charlez

Substitutes: Jiménez, Ferruz, Muzquiz, Rubio

Coach: Richi Civera

Referee: Mads Kristoffersen (DEN)

Assistant referees: Jakob Mastrup (DEN), Robert Steinacher (AUT)

Fourth official: Walter Altmann (AUT)

Scorer: 29’ Rober

Cautioned: Lisi, Losin, Bottoni, Pancotti, Briz, Gori, Casero

Sent off: Ciacci (second yellow card)

Attendance: 294