Under-19: San Marino close to a positive result against Sweden

The San Marino Under-19 National Team made a flying start in their final qualifying match for the European Championship. The opening was so convincing that for long spells their Swedish counterparts struggled to shake off the Sammarinese press, pinned back in their own half. Bindi fired just over the crossbar after being picked out by Meloni. The same fate befell Valentini’s subsequent effort, narrowly off target from inside the box. Sweden’s response was cut out by Marani before a corner that Hilvenius headed over. The half ended goalless, thanks also to an excellent save from Cenci on yet another towering header by Hilvenius.

Sweden cranked up the tempo after the break, in search of a breakthrough that was consistently denied by the Biancazzurri’s defensive organisation. Not only that, on 55 minutes the referee brandished a red card to Vucenovic – punished for a DOGSO on Grandoni. The scoreline remained level heading into the final stretch, when it was Sweden – despite being a man down – who landed the decisive blows. The key man was Filling, who produced a brace between the 81st and 85th minutes with two solo efforts. A bitter outcome for a match played on equal terms, with limited risks and the chance to make the extra man count for much of the second half.

2026 Under-19 European Championship Qualifiers, MD3 | San Marino – Sweden 0-2

SAN MARINO (3-5-2)

Cenci; Stefani, Marani, Montali; Colombini (56’ Forcellini), Pasolini (68’ Pennacchini), Meloni, Bindi (89’ Guidi); Mularoni (56’ Molinari), Grandoni, Valentini (68’ Giordani)

Substitutes: Della Balda, Raschi, Bucchi

Coach: Roberto Di Maio

SWEDEN (4-2-3-1)

Fischerström; Ljungqvist (74’ Nordin), Hallin (74’ Ajdin), Hilvenius, Vucenovic; Busuladzic, Lahdo; Jönsson (46’ Järeteg), Geiger, Oppong (46’ Filling); Anderson (63’ Öhman)

Substitutes: Ramming, Tuka, Pasalic

Coach:

Referee: Ante Čulina (CRO)

Assistant referees: Kristijan Novosel (CRO), Noël Loetscher (SUI)

Fourth official: Marijan Drmic (SUI)

Scorers: 81’, 85’ Filling

Booked: Colombini, Grandoni, Forcellini

Sent off: Vucenovic