In an exciting start to their qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Cyprus triumphed over San Marino with a 2-0 scoreline at AEK Arena - George Karapatakis in Larnaca on March 21, 2025. Two players, Ioannis Pittas and Andronikos Kakoulli, found the net for the home team, marking a strong beginning for Cyprus in their Group H matches.
The match, which kicked off at 1:00 PM ET, saw Cyprus maintain its dominance over San Marino, having defeated them in all seven previous encounters. This fixture was crucial for both teams as San Marino, ranked 210th in the world and historically in a tough spot, aimed for a hopeful performance after winning against Liechtenstein twice in the UEFA Nations League in late 2024.
Cyprus came into this game looking to shake off the memory of their recent 4-1 defeat to Romania in the UEFA Nations League. They were under the reign of their new coach, Akis Mantzios, who had taken charge in January 2025. The opening minutes of the match reflected the home team’s intent, as they dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities.
Ioannis Pittas, showing agility and anticipation, opened the scoring for Cyprus in the 50th minute. After capitalizing on a defensive lapse from San Marino, he intercepted the ball and struck it towards the right post, giving the Cypriots the lead they needed. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, and the fans erupted with joy as they witnessed the team’s first goal of this qualifying campaign.
Despite their lead, Cyprus remained persistent in their attack, with Andronikos Kakoulli coming close to extending the score. His powerful mid-range shot was thwarted by San Marino's goalkeeper, Edoardo Colombo, who was having an excellent match, making numerous saves to keep his team in the game.
San Marino exhibited moments of determination throughout the match. Nicolas Giacopetti came close to leveling the score with a header that sailed just over the crossbar. They fought hard, but Cyprus’s defense, solid and coordinated, kept them at bay.
In a remarkable display of resilience, San Marino’s Colombo saved multiple attempts by Cyprus, which included shots from Giorgos Malekkidis and Ioannis Pittas, showcasing his skills and vital role in the match. However, Cyprus finally managed to find the back of the net again in the 84th minute, as Andronikos Kakoulli scored on a counter-attack, sealing the victory with his shot that grazed the left post before going in.
The match concluded with a 2-0 victory for Cyprus, marking a promising start to their campaign toward the 2026 World Cup. The large crowd at AEK Arena was treated to a match that displayed both teams’ efforts, with Cyprus eager to build momentum and San Marino showing glimpses of improvement under pressure.
Looking ahead, Cyprus will aim to sustain their winning momentum in upcoming games, hoping to secure a place in the World Cup, a dream that seems distant but tantalizingly within reach if they continue at this pace. Meanwhile, San Marino, buoyed by their recent improvements, will seek to regroup and take the positives from this match as they prepare for their next qualification fixtures.
