Screamer breaks San Marino's 14-year drought
Matteo Vitaioli blasted home a free kick on Tuesday evening in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius to score San Marino's first competitive away goal in fourteen years.
The goal came during in the team's Group E Euro 2016 qualifying match against Lithuania.
Vitaioli sent the San Marino fans and players into raptures when he levelled the tie to 1-1 in the 55th minute with a right-footed strike.
After finding the net, Vitaioli sprinted over to the touchline, where a massive pile-on ensued between ecstatic players and staff.
Despite his fine free kick, San Marino conceded a cruel late goal in the 91st minute - when they were just seconds away from a draw.
Had they held on, it would have been just the fourth draw in a competitive fixture in the club's history.
Since playing their first match in 1990, San Marino are yet to win a competitive fixture. Although they did manage a 1-0 win in a friendly match against Liechtenstein back in April 2004.
Part-time footballer Vitaioli, 26, was delighted with his goal but was disappointed to concede late on.
"We deserved a lot more," he tweeted after the game. "But I wouldn't change this squad for anything."
Meritavamo di più molto di più peccato...ma questa squadra non la cambio con nessuno ❤️❤️ grandi… https://t.co/mEbQIQufN2
— Matteo Vitaioli (@vitajr_89) September 8, 2015
Vitaioli still has some way to go before he reaches the club record of eight goals, held by veteran striker, Andy Selva.
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The goal came during in the team's Group E Euro 2016 qualifying match against Lithuania.
Vitaioli sent the San Marino fans and players into raptures when he levelled the tie to 1-1 in the 55th minute with a right-footed strike.
After finding the net, Vitaioli sprinted over to the touchline, where a massive pile-on ensued between ecstatic players and staff.
Despite his fine free kick, San Marino conceded a cruel late goal in the 91st minute - when they were just seconds away from a draw.
Had they held on, it would have been just the fourth draw in a competitive fixture in the club's history.
Since playing their first match in 1990, San Marino are yet to win a competitive fixture. Although they did manage a 1-0 win in a friendly match against Liechtenstein back in April 2004.
Part-time footballer Vitaioli, 26, was delighted with his goal but was disappointed to concede late on.
"We deserved a lot more," he tweeted after the game. "But I wouldn't change this squad for anything."
Meritavamo di più molto di più peccato...ma questa squadra non la cambio con nessuno ❤️❤️ grandi… https://t.co/mEbQIQufN2
— Matteo Vitaioli (@vitajr_89) September 8, 2015
Vitaioli still has some way to go before he reaches the club record of eight goals, held by veteran striker, Andy Selva.
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