San Marino vs Cyprus

Match preview

San Marino trailed 6-0 at half time against Austria, and each of the opposing team’s outfield starting XI managed to register at least one direct goal contribution.

The nation’s defensive frailties are nothing new, and none of the other 53 teams in the European section of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers has conceded more than they have in six group games (28).

Roberto Cevoli should not be particularly disappointed by his team’s campaign considering they are ranked 210th by FIFA, making them the worst side in international football.

La Serenissima have never won a World Cup qualifying match, losing 79 of their 81 matches, and defeat on Sunday would be their 60th consecutive loss in the qualifiers.

To their credit, though they have lost their last three at home in all competitions, they did win one and draw one of their previous two at Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle.

Cyprus netted a 97th-minute equaliser against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but they can no longer finish in the top two and have subsequently failed to qualify for their first ever World Cup finals.

The visitors’ record at the back has been poor for some time given they have conceded in each of their past six, picking the ball out of their own net at least two times in five of those games.

Apostolos Mantzios‘s side triumphed in all eight of their clashes with San Marino, including when they beat Sunday’s hosts 2-0 in March.

Cyprus are winless in six fixtures, settling for stalemates on three occasions while scoring seven goals.

Mantzios’s team have also failed to achieve victory in any of their six most recent away outings, succumbing to defeat in five of those contests..