Cyprus kicked off its journey towards the 2026 World Cup with a resounding 1-0 victory over San Marino on March 21, 2025, at the AEK Arena in Larnaca. This match marked the opening of Group H qualifying matches, which also features formidable teams like Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Romania. Cyprus, building on a dominating history, has maintained a perfect record against San Marino, winning all seven previous encounters.
In a match that saw new head coach Akis Mantzios attempt to lead Cyprus to greater heights, the team was determined to start the qualification on a high note. They came into the match after a disappointing 4-1 loss to Romania in the UEFA Nations League, a game that had left the team yearning for redemption and a chance to prove themselves. Meanwhile, San Marino arrived in Larnaca buoyed by renewed optimism after beating Liechtenstein twice in 2024, a feat which earned them promotion in the UEFA Nations League.
Kick-off was set for 12:50 PM ET, with a good crowd brimming with anticipation as the teams lined up on the pitch. They were met with a typical competitive spirit; however, as the match commenced, it quickly became evident that Cyprus was the side in control, dominating possession and pressing San Marino's defense consistently.
The first half passed with numerous attempts from the home team, who showcased a fierce determination to secure an early lead. Cyprus narrowly escaped with a disallowed goal as Pieros Sotiriou saw his header ruled offside. Despite being the more aggressive side, Cyprus failed to break the deadlock before the break.
As the second half unfolded, Cyprus continued with the pressing approach, keeping San Marino on the back foot. The tension broke when Ioannis Pittas, who had been a lively presence throughout the match, capitalized on a defensive blunder to score Cyprus’s first goal of the campaign, putting Cyprus ahead 1-0.
"San Marino has its work cut out if it’s to land a first-ever win over Cyprus," a sentiment echoed widely as the visiting team sought to find an equalizer amidst the pressure. Exciting plays ensued, with San Marino’s Edoardo Colombo making several crucial saves, notably denying shots from Andronikos Kakoulli and Giorgos Malekkidis that could have doubled Cyprus’s lead.
In the race for a second goal, Cyprus came close multiple times. Kakoulli's header hit the woodwork, and the home side were active in their search for more, dominating the match statistics with a total of 26 shots compared to San Marino's meager 5 attempts. The Cypriots also held the upper hand in terms of possession and passing accuracy, further amplifying their claim for victory.
Although San Marino's players put in a commendable defensive effort, they were ultimately outmatched; they recorded only two shots on target against Cyprus's eleven. Nevertheless, the visitors had a brief moment of hope when Nicolas Giacopetti's header narrowly missed the goal, showing that they were not entirely without offensive threat.
Despite a gallant effort, the final whistle confirmed Cyprus's 1-0 victory, providing a solid start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. Coach Akis Mantzios expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing the importance of such victories in building confidence and aiding their advancement in a competitive group.
For San Marino, this defeat—even in an already familiar fashion—provided insights into their shortcomings as they prepare for upcoming challenges. The team will need to channel their recent achievements in the UEFA Nations League as they continue their quest for success on the international stage.
As the qualification continues, all eyes will turn now to the next fixtures in Group H. Cyprus aims to maintain momentum, while San Marino seeks to bounce back and prove that their advancement in the UEFA Nations League wasn’t just a fleeting moment of success.
