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EURO 2016 QUALIFIERS

FOOTBALL

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.

Screamer breaks San Marino's 14-year drought
San Marino scored their first competitive away goal in fourteen years against Lithuania on Tuesday night. Photo: Petras Malukas/AFP

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.”

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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