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The only 2008 European Championship qualifying match took place on Wednesday in San Marino, where in Group D the national team of this country met with the team of Ireland and barely failed to win their first point in history - the Irish snatched victory only at the end of the match in extra time.
San Marino 1-2 Ireland 49' [0-1] Kevin Kilbane 86' [1-1] Mauro Marani 90+4' [1-2] Stephen Ireland
Despite the humiliating defeat to Germany in the fall with a score of 0-13, San Marino players before this match stated that they fiercely fought for their first point in their 38 official matches in history.
A struggling Ireland in the qualifying matches dominated from the first minutes of this match, but somehow couldn't prove their superiority with goals.
In the 49th minute, Kevin Kilbane finally broke the ice, scoring a goal with his head.
However, at the end of the match, San Marino players unexpectedly equalized the score during one of their rare attacks and were close to their dream, but their hopes shattered in the 4th added time minute of the referee. During the siege of the hosts' goal, Ireland's honor was saved by Stephen Ireland.
By the way, in the match between these teams held in Dublin in the fall, Ireland triumphed effortlessly with a score of 5-0.
Group D Table: 1. Germany 4 3 1 0 19-2 10 2. Czech Republic 4 3 1 0 13-2 10 3. Ireland 5 2 1 2 10-8 7 4. Slovakia 4 2 0 2 12-9 6 5. Cyprus 4 1 1 2 8-12 4 6. Wales 3 1 0 2 5-8 3 7. San Marino 4 0 0 4 1-27 0
