Under-15: winning debut for San Marino, Gibraltar beaten on penalties

The UEFA Under-15 Development Tournament hosted in San Marino gets off to the best possible start for Luigi Di Spirito’s Biancazzurrini, who overcome Gibraltar on penalties after a draw in the ninety minutes. In the very early stages, Valentini has a clear chance to put San Marino ahead from close range – but sends his left-footed effort wide after a scramble in the box. No less inviting is Gibraltar’s opportunity, wasted by Chaudhary’s lack of composure in the 4th minute. Soon after, the Reds take the lead from a corner: Castrey finds the net, taking advantage of a block on Zavoli’s attempted claim that the referee deems regular. Despite the momentum being firmly with Gibraltar at this stage, San Marino deserve credit for staying compact and limiting their opponents to only a few hopeful efforts from distance. The Biancazzurrini respond with an inaccurate attempt by Cupi, shortly before a shot-cross from Galia that causes alarm in the home backline. Before the interval, captain Macina wins the ball high up the pitch and releases Valentini’s run into the box – but the latter is denied at the crucial moment by a monumental Toshev. In the second half, it takes just ten minutes for Luigi Di Spirito’s side to get back on level terms: a long ball from Berardi slices through the Gibraltarian centre-backs, allowing Macina to keep his cool and stamp his name on the 1-1 equaliser. Shortly afterwards, the hosts create the chance to complete the turnaround – born from Jourdain’s effective pressing. The ball, breaking kindly for Sensoli, grazes the far top corner with his attempt. In the closing stages of a second half dominated by the hosts, San Marino have two clear chances to seal a deserved win: first they are denied by Toshev’s reflex save on a close-range header by Macina, then they curse their luck when Jourdain rattles the woodwork with a stunning right-footed volley. Not the ideal prelude heading into the penalty shootout ordered by the referee immediately after that strike against the frame of the goal. Instead, the Titani prove precise and ice-cold – also able to rely on a superb Zavoli. In addition to the flawless spot-kicks from Macina, Valmaseda Garcia and Valentini, San Marino can celebrate the two penalties saved by their goalkeeper from Chichon and Amor. It is Sensoli who finishes the job, his low right-footed shot into the corner sealing a 5-3 win on penalties that earns San Marino two points in the standings, with one going to Gibraltar. Topping the table after the opening matchday is Andorra, emphatic winners over Liechtenstein. The Pyreneans race into a 2-0 lead thanks to a brace from Veiga Sanchez in the 17th and 54th minutes, before making it three through substitute Galvez Martin shortly after the hour mark. Diehr’s converted penalty is a mere consolation for Liechtenstein, who are struck again deep into added time by Da Costa Oliveira’s finish for a 4-1 final scoreline.

UEFA U-15 Development Tournament San Marino 2026, Matchday 1 | San Marino 1-1 Gibraltar (5-3 pens)

San Marino

Zavoli; Mariotti (76' Canini), Colombini (70' Argenziano), Rattini (46' Valmaseda Garcia); Berardi, Cupi (59' Jourdain), Chiaruzzi (70' Maiani), Valentini, Benedettini (46' Sensoli); Macina, Balzan

Substitutes: Casali, Guerra, Righi

Coach: Luigi Di Spirito

Gibraltar

Toshev; Mcgrail (57' Moreno Ruiz), Neale, Chaudhary, Galia (79' Catania); Byrne (79' Amor), Ferro (65' Santos), Lahav; Baldachino, Castrey (57' Chichon), Greene (65' Tizniti)

Substitutes: Reeve, Stagno Martinez, Rodriguez

Coach: Scott Wiseman

Referee: Beltrano

Assistant Referees: Macaddino, Lerza

Fourth Official: Covi

Scorers: 12' Castrey, 55' Macina

Penalty shootout sequence: Neale (scored), Macina (scored); Chichon (saved), Valmaseda Garcia (scored); Santos (scored), Valentini (scored); Amor (saved), Zavoli (scored)

------

UEFA U-15 Development Tournament San Marino 2026, Matchday 1 | Liechtenstein 1-4 Andorra

Liechtenstein

Tinner; Diehr, Hediger, Maierhof (60' Schurmann); Angele (46' Oberwaditzer), Heyden (46' Kessler), Krasniqi, Matt (60' Risch), Schmid (46' Mackaj); Bogicevic (60' Urschitz), Stocklasa (46' Telser)

Substitutes: Kaiser

Coach: Spirig Roman

Andorra

Subiros Moreno (46' Estragues); Bessone Romero (46' Galluzzo Del Busto), Gimero Fonareva, De Visa mas (46' Pera Alegre), Areny Alcobé; Casals Cornejo (60' Cuerdo), Torres Gonzalez (46' Galvez Martin), Fernandez Estragues (46' Lebron Gomez), Dominguez (60' Grau Montané); Veiga Sanchez, Marin Miguel (46' Da Costa Oliveira)

Coach: Reyes Albert

Referee: N. Villa

Assistant Referees: Ercolani, Zaghini

Fourth Official: Vandi

Scorers: 17', 54' Veiga Sanchez, 62' Galvez Martin, 75' (r) Diehr, 90+2' Da Costa Oliveira