Match report

Cyprus Secures 2-0 Victory Over San Marino in World Cup Qualification

Cyprus
Cyprus
2–0
FT
San Marino
San Marino
Mar 21, 2025

Cyprus secured a 2-0 victory over San Marino in their World Cup Qualification match, with goals from Ioannis Pittas and A. Kakoullis proving crucial. Despite a goal being cancelled due to VAR, Cyprus managed to hold off San Marino's challenges to secure the win.

Key Facts

  • • Cyprus defeated San Marino 2-0 in the World Cup Qualification match.
  • • Ioannis Pittas scored the first goal for Cyprus at the 55th minute.
  • • A. Kakoullis scored the second goal for Cyprus at the 86th minute.
  • • P. Sotiriou's goal was cancelled by VAR at the 27th minute.
  • • San Marino had two yellow cards, one to Matteo Valli Casadei and the other to A. Tosi.

Lineups

Cyprus

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Mall (G)
  • 6 G. Satsias (D)
  • 15 C. Sielis (D)
  • 3 N. Panagiotou (D)
  • 7 Anderson Correia (D)
  • 8 I. Kousoulos (M)
  • 20 G. Kastanos (M)
  • 17 L. Loizou (M)
  • 10 P. Sotiriou (M)
  • 21 M. Tzionis (M)
  • 9 I. Pittas (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 D. Demetriou
  • 22 N. Michail
  • 2 C. Kyriakou
  • 4 H. Kyprianou
  • 5 C. Charalampous
  • 11 A. Kakoullis
  • 12 S. Gavriel
  • 14 G. Malekkidis
  • 16 E. Antoniou
  • 18 K. Artymatas
  • 19 A. Shikkis
  • 23 I. Kosti

San Marino

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 E. Colombo (G)
  • 4 F. Fabbri (D)
  • 5 M. Cevoli
  • 3 T. Benvenuti (D)
  • 12 A. Tosi (D)
  • 17 A. Golinucci
  • 8 L. Capicchioni (M)
  • 18 S. Zannoni (M)
  • 11 A. Contadini (F)
  • 9 N. Nanni (F)
  • 10 F. Berardi

Substitutes

  • 13 M. Zavoli
  • 16 P. Amici
  • 2 G. Benvenuti
  • 6 D. Rossi
  • 7 M. Vitaioli
  • 14 G. Valentini
  • 15 M. Pasolini
  • 19 N. Giacopetti
  • 20 N. Sensoli
  • 21 A. Riccardi
  • 22 M. Mularoni
  • 23 M. Valli Casadei

Timeline

  1. Cyprus
    27' Cyprus Var · Goal cancelled
    P. Sotiriou
  2. Cyprus
    55' Cyprus Goal · Normal Goal
    Ioannis Pittas
  3. San Marino
    63' San Marino subst · Substitution 1
    Off: F. Berardi · On: N. Sensoli
  4. Cyprus
    63' Cyprus subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Tzionis · On: I. Kosti
  5. San Marino
    64' San Marino subst · Substitution 2
    Off: L. Capicchioni · On: Matteo Valli Casadei
  6. Cyprus
    74' Cyprus subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Ioannis Kousoulos · On: C. Kyriakou
  7. Cyprus
    74' Cyprus subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Anderson Correia · On: G. Malekkides
  8. San Marino
    76' San Marino Card · Yellow Card
    Matteo Valli Casadei

    Foul

  9. San Marino
    77' San Marino subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Zannoni · On: N. Giacopetti
  10. San Marino
    85' San Marino subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Filippo Fabbri · On: G. Benvenuti
  11. Cyprus
    86' Cyprus Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Kakoullis · Assist: I. Kosti
  12. Cyprus
    89' Cyprus subst · Substitution 5
    Off: L. Loizou · On: S. Gavriel
  13. San Marino
    90' San Marino Card · Yellow Card
    A. Tosi

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Cyprus San Marino
Fouls 14 17
Pass Accuracy 88% 72%
Offsides 2 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 26 5
Corners 7 2
Total Passes 648 281
Yellow Cards 0 2
Blocked Shots 5 1
Shots on Target 11 2
xG — —
Shots off Target 10 2
Possession 70% 30%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 569 202
Shots Inside Box 22 4
Saves 2 9
Shots Outside Box 4 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The cancellation of P. Sotiriou's goal at the 27th minute kept the match scoreless and maintained pressure on Cyprus.
  • ▸ Ioannis Pittas' goal at the 55th minute broke the deadlock and gave Cyprus the lead.
  • ▸ A. Kakoullis' goal at the 86th minute sealed Cyprus' victory and put the match out of reach for San Marino.