San Marino suffered a 6-0 loss to England last week that just about sums up their footballing history: few goals scored, many more conceded and endless defeats.
So when they scored a goal – their first competitive away goal in 14 years no less – it was the cause of raucous celebration, both on the pitch and online.
10-man Lithuania were the victims, having to watch on as the San Marino bench emptied for an all-in celebration with their hero, Matteo Vitaioli.
tonight we are all from San Marino https://t.co/yBggHTgA1K
— Adam Fitzpatrick (@Fitzaaaaaay) September 8, 2015
The San Marino Twitter account got a tad excited too!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL.
— Selección San Marino (@sanmarinopasion) September 8, 2015
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL LA CONCHA DE TU MADRE LIECHTENSTEIN.
— Selección San Marino (@sanmarinopasion) September 8, 2015
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL MATEO VITTAIOLI, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL.
— Selección San Marino (@sanmarinopasion) September 8, 2015
HISTORICO, HISTORICO, QUE LINDO ES SER DE SAN MARINO.
— Selección San Marino (@sanmarinopasion) September 8, 2015
DE QUE PLANETA VINISTE VITAIOLI GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL. GRACIAS DIOS POR ESTAS LAGRIMAS, POR EL FUTBOL, POR ESTE LITUANIA 1 SAN MARINO 1
— Selección San Marino (@sanmarinopasion) September 8, 2015
And then there was the reaction of everyone else…
...SAN MARINO SCORE!!! LIVE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF AWAY FANS https://t.co/2YSp0TBC8k
— FantasyYIRMA #FPL (@FantasyYIRMA) September 8, 2015
San Marino have scored an away goal for the first time since 2001! https://t.co/C7FhjxGFss
— Dan Chapman. (@iDanTheGunner) September 8, 2015
It wasn’t enough for the microstate though, as Lithuania’s Lukas Spalvis broke their hearts with a 92nd-minute winner.
At least they’ll always have this moment…
The moment San Marino scored their first away goal in over 14 years. Scenes. pic.twitter.com/g9XO8eGLHF
— Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) September 8, 2015