Under-19s: Switzerland wrap it up late, encouraging display from the Biancazzurrini

In the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying group, San Marino’s Under-19 national team faced hosts Switzerland. Roberto Di Maio’s boys approached the demanding fixture with personality, handling possession smoothly – also thanks to the lack of high pressing from their Swiss peers. The Titans did not hold back in that area, pressing aggressively to win the ball back and carving out the first chance through Molinari, whose shot came after he had stolen possession in the attacking third. On that occasion Huwiler turned it behind for a corner. On the quarter-hour mark came Switzerland’s reply with Da Silva, whose lob over Cenci was cleared almost on the goal line by the alert Stefani. It was the prelude to the hosts’ breakthrough, as they went 1-0 up on 21 minutes through Rufener: a superb strike from the edge of the box that flew into the top corner, giving Cenci no chance. The keeper then proved decisive against Kabashi. Around the half-hour mark Meloni made his presence felt; played in by Montali, he skipped past Bein before delivering a ball into the middle, where Molinari arrived to meet it but could not hit the target. The Swiss also favoured this route, at least in the closing stages of the first half – which ended with the narrowest of margins still on the scoreboard.

After the restart it was Borenovic’s side who threatened first: Cakolli, however, had to bow to Cenci, brave in coming off his line to smother at the feet of the striker, who had been played in inside the six-yard box. That was perhaps the only real scare suffered by the Biancazzurrini for the first half of the second period, during which they remained solid at the back and fully focused. In the end it took a fortuitous episode to give the Swiss their comfort goal, scored on 69 minutes by Da Silva. The winger latched onto a mishit effort by Miguel who, in trying to shoot on goal, inadvertently provided an unexpected assist. Just before the end of the third and final minute of stoppage time, Switzerland struck again, handing San Marino – who had produced an excellent performance – a defeat that was harsh in terms of the scoreline. The decisive header from a corner was by Vasovic, who had come on a quarter of an hour from time, to make it 3-0 at the final whistle.

2026 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Qualifying, MD2 | Switzerland – San Marino 3-0

SWITZERLAND (3-4-2-1)

Huwiler; Bein, Stork (62’ Akahomen), Camara; Da Silva, Tchamda, Rufener (46’ Tairi), Peverelli; Miguel (76’ Aguilar), Kabashi (63’ Parra); Cakolli (76’ Vasovic)

Substitutes: Hoch, Ademi, Etoski, Volken

Head coach: Ilija Borenovic

SAN MARINO (3-5-2)

Cenci; Stefani, Marani, Montali (79’ Forcellini); Colombini (65’ Guidi), Molinari (87’ Giordani), Pasolini (79’ Pennacchini), Meloni, Bindi; Tamagnini, Grandoni (65’ Valentini)

Substitutes: Della Balda, Raschi, Bucchi, Mularoni

Head coach: Roberto Di Maio

Referee: Helgi Mikael Jónasson (ISL)

Assistant referees: Egill Gudlaugsson (ISL), Sargis Hovhannisyan (ARM)

Fourth official: Henrik Nalbandyan (ARM)

Scorers: 21’ Rufener, 69’ Da Silva, 90+3’ Vasovic

Booked: Colombini, Tamagnini, Parra

Note: 1,692 spectators