Gibraltar and Liechtenstein in Thrilling 2-2 Draw: The Unlikely Battle of the Minnows
Gibraltar Football Association Announces Match Results
Submission time: 2024-09-09 12:03
Gibraltar Football Association Announces Match Results
[지브롤터축구협회 사회관계망서비스(SNS) 캡처. 재판매 및 DB금지]
Gibraltar, ranked 198th in the FIFA rankings, and Liechtenstein, ranked 199th, had a fierce match, each scoring a goal in extra time in the second half, but were unable to decide the winner.
The two teams drew 2-2 in the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League Group D match held at the Europa Sports Park in Gibraltar, British territory, on the 8th (local time).
Gibraltar took the lead through Liam Walker eight minutes into the game, but Ferhat Saglam equalised for Liechtenstein eight minutes into the second half.
Gibraltar appeared to have won a dramatic victory when James Scanlan headed in extra time, but Liechtenstein had one last chance.
Liechtenstein were awarded a penalty just before the final whistle was blown after a handball foul by the Gibraltar defenders was caught on video assistant referee (VAR).
Nicolas Hasler stepped up as kicker and converted calmly to rescue Liechtenstein from the doldrums.
Gibraltar, however, dominated the overall number of shots (14-6), as befitting a team with a higher FIFA ranking.
They were on the verge of victory, leading 2-1 right before the end with a dominant performance, but conceded a goal in the last minute and failed to secure 3 points.
Gibraltar, a British territory located at the southern tip of Spain, is a port city that has been under British rule since the 18th century.
The Gibraltar Football Association became a full member of UEFA in 2013.
If they had defeated Liechtenstein on this day, they could have achieved their second consecutive win following the 1-0 win against Andorra on the 5th, but it fell through.
Liechtenstein Football Association Announces the Results of the Match
[리히텐슈타인축구협회 사회관계망서비스(SNS) 캡처. 재판매 및 DB금지]
Liechtenstein, on the other hand, almost suffered a second consecutive defeat in League D, which features some of the weakest teams in Europe, after suffering a historic defeat to San Marino, ranked 210th in the FIFA rankings, on the 5th.
San Marino, who had not won in 140 matches over 20 years since the friendly match against Liechtenstein (1-0) in 2004, met Liechtenstein again and achieved a meaningful victory.
The goal of the three teams tied in Group 1 of League D is to be promoted to League C.
If the team that wins the group is confirmed, they will be promoted.
Currently, ‘bottom’ San Marino, the only team to have won, is in first place, ahead of the two teams.
These three teams, classified as UEFA’s weakest, have faced strong teams in European competitions and often lost by record goals conceded.
Gibraltar suffered a crushing 0-14 defeat to France in a Euro 2024 qualifier in November last year.
It is the biggest defeat in Euro qualifiers history.
The previous record was San Marino’s defeat (0-13) against Germany in 2006.