San Marino 1-2 Denmark: Hojlund nets, hosts were understandably jubiliant

Goals don't come around too often for San Marino - so they were understandably jubiliant after equalising in the second half of their Euro 2024 qualifier against Denmark on Tuesday evening.

Alessandro Golinucci was the hero as he volleyed home their first goal in nine matches in the 61st minute of the game to make the score 1-1 - leading to incredible scenes as he and his team-mates were sent into ecstasy. Golinucci slid along the turf before finding himself at the bottom of a pile of players.

Unfortunately, their joy didn't last as Denmark went on to win the game 2-1 thanks to a strike from Yussuf Poulsen 20 minutes from time.

The lowly European minnows - who are the bottom ranked side by FIFA - can still be proud of their efforts as they kept the game tight and forced Denmark to grind out a hard-earned win.

Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund had put the Danes ahead shortly before the end of the first period before Golinucci struck.

Even though it didn't prove to be crucial in securing any kind of result, it will remain a special moment for San Marino players.

A corner had been floated in by San Marino, with Denmark managing to clear their lines by heading it away - but only as far as Golinucci.

The 28-year-old - who plays for Sammarinese side AC Virtus and has 48 caps for his country - pounced on the rebound immediately, leaping up to volley the ball into the ground and then watching it bounce into the net.

As soon as the net rippled, almost every San Marino player raced after Golinucci - including the goalkeeper and substitutes - as they savoured the rare moment of celebrating a goal.

In UEFA competitions alone, it was their first goal for 12 matches.

San Marino last scored in a 1-1 draw with Saint Lucia on 17 November