San Marino, Football Daily’s favourite underdogs, have actually won a game

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, keep toiling for 34 years, and try again. In another 23 years such a statement might be apt for a still-title-searching Manchester United as they conduct yet another cultural reset, presumably under a bespectacled 52-year-old Bruno Fernandes, but for now let it apply to San Marino, population circa 34,000 and Football Daily’s favourite underdogs. Shout it from the rooftops: the team ranked 210th and last in the Fifa world rankings have won a competitive football match for the first time in their history, beating 199th-ranked, lofty Liechtenstein 1-0 in a Nations League doozy on Thursday night. Dreamland.

Let’s start with the stats, which are crazy enough in isolation. San Marino’s goalscorer and matchwinner in Serravalle, Nicko Sensoli, was not even born the last time they won a game – and even that was only a friendly, also 1-0 against Liechtenstein in 2004. Back then, Cristiano Ronaldo was on nine career goals for club and country. Just 891 CR7 strikes, five San Marino draws and 171 losses later, and the mountainous microstate is back on the winning podium. And this time, it’s competitive.

Many have been sniffy about the reaction that has followed, which included wild celebrations on the pitch, a beaming Sensoli dedicating the win to his family and the official X account of San Marino Football completely losing the run of itself. One doubter on some Social Media Disgrace or other asked: “Why are you celebrating like you won a trophy?” Another responded: “They wrote history. They will be remembered forever as legends, as the golden generation of Sammarinese football.” And this is an entirely natural reaction, arguably far more organic and genuine than, say, a planned Erling Haaland routine after netting another hat-trick. When you win so rarely, aren’t you obliged to party like it’s 1999 … or should that be 2004?

For making it possible, the much-maligned Nations League deserves some credit in all this. In an era of over-stacked schedules and Bernardo Silva complaining every three days about playing football every three days, some say it’s a competition we could all do without. The Nations League allows the likes of San Marino to play the likes of Liechtenstein and Gibraltar (they’re top of that mini-league now, by the way and on course for promotion) rather than act as cannon fodder for the goal-hungry big boys, a la Ronaldo et al. San Marino’s victory was more than legitimate, as were their celebrations, and they ought to be left well alone to bask in their moment. Who knows when their next moment will come? Let’s hope it’s sooner than 2058.

Join Scott Murray for live Nations League clockwatch action, taking in Wales 1-1 Turkey, France 2-1 Italy and plenty more, from 7.45pm BST.

“Within 10 days or so of his funeral, I’m being offered the job I dreamed of getting. I don’t think I’ve given myself time to grieve at all … I was having to do a job where you’re in the public eye, you’re the spokesperson for the sport, you’re running a team and a club that expects to win. I found that really, really hard to live with” – Emma Hayes talks to Suzanne Wrack about saying goodbye to Chelsea and taking on the US women’s head coach job while grieving the death of her father, Sid.

England’s post-Southgate era begins in Dublin on Saturday, with Lee Carsley the (interim) man in the dugout. The Under-21 coach is in charge for the upcoming Nations League campaign, which sees England drop into League B. Carsley’s audition for the big gig will depend on results against Greece, the Republic of Ireland and Finland: the 27th, 28th and 29th best teams in Europe. What could possibly go wrong? Well, there’s a new man in charge of Ireland too: Heimir Hallgrímsson, who was Iceland co-manager for that Euro 2016 defeat. A quick glance at the home dugout tomorrow evening should remind Carsley to take nothing for granted.

It’s also a fresh start for Wales as Craig Bellamy takes charge for the first time tonight, against Euro 2024 funsters Turkey. Bellamy has promised a more expansive style than predecessor Robert Page, saying: “Without the ball, I’m non-negotiable. But with the ball, I am quite caring and all about love. I need my players to feel free.” How’s it going so far, Harry Wilson? “There’s been a lot of mistakes in the first couple of days, but that’s just the lads getting used to it.” Ah.

Further to Tony Whybrow highlighting the virtues of the entire Hampton & Richmond Borough squad shaking hands with all 14 away fans (yesterday’s Football Daily letters), I would say the same ratio of player to fan interaction actually is entirely plausible at Chelsea given that their squad probably outnumbers their average away attendance. Boom boom!” – Kevin Goddard (and 1,056 others).

I can see a lot of merit in the idea of dynamically pricing tickets based on demand. Presumably if any empty seats are spotted in the corporate hospitality section, or if fans aren’t able to take their seats because of transport/logistical issues, all matchgoing fans will be eligible for a partial refund? Or will this only work one way?” – Guy Stephenson.

Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winners are Kevin Goddard (and 1,056 others). Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.

Cristiano Ronaldo is now the proud owner of 900 career goals as Portugal kicked off their Nations League campaign with a 2-1 home win over Croatia. Elsewhere, Scotland found a new way to lose at the death against Poland, Spain were held by Serbia, and Northern Ireland saw off Luxembourg at home.

Conor Gallagher has denied that concerns over his technical abilities lay behind his Chelsea exit this summer. “I don’t think that’s true,” straight-batted the Atlético man.

Steven Bergwijn has hit out at the Netherlands coach, Ronald Koeman, for slamming the door on his international career because of a move to Saudi Arabia. “I am done with someone who portrays me like this in the media,” the forward huffed.

Juan Mata, 50, is now a flamin’ Western Sydney Wanderer. “Feeling grateful and excited for this new adventure, and looking forward to trying to win another championship,” he parped.

And nice work if you can get it: Stockport’s Andy Mangan is reportedly set for an unexpected move to Real Madrid – to become part of Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching team. Mangan, an assistant coach with the Hatters, is friends with Carlo’s son, Davide.

Bolton striker Victor Adeboyejo has been sidelined by unusual knack caused by a powerful sneeze. “Victor has been suffering with a nasty back [knack] and a sneeze set it off,” manager Ian Evatt told the Bolton News. “He felt a bit of a crack in between his ribs. Victor is a powerful boy and even his sneezes are powerful.” Adeboyejo’s setback is the last thing Evatt needed, with the Trotters grappling with a long list of absentees. “I have to start having a long look at myself when players start getting injured sneezing,” he sighed. Maybe cut pepper out at the canteen?

Jacob Steinberg reckons it could be a rough night for Declan Rice and Jack Grealish, who head to Dublin with England having previously turned out in the green jersey.

“Lee was probably the most dedicated professional that I’d ever come across. He was so driven and so dedicated” – Ed Aarons speaks to those who vouch for Mr Carsley as the ideal England coach.

Will Unwin gets his chat on with Harrogate stopper James Belshaw, who has two degrees and wrote a thesis on SS guards. “Obviously, getting invited on to Football Weekly would be a career highlight,” he toots.

Alex Morgan, who is retiring at the age of 35, has been a trailblazer for women’s football on and off the pitch, writes Alexander Abnos.

The Women’s Championship kicks off on Sunday with some big names – Tom Garry gives you a team-by-team rundown.

Ali Tweedale looks at six Premier League teams who might regret not strengthening in key areas, including Manchester City, in the area of – rubs eyes – striker.

Inter Miami’s ambitious plans are paying off in the USAx3. Here’s Joseph Lowery with the latest MLS Power Rankings.

Twenty-nine years ago today, if René Higuita had decided to simply catch Jamie Redknapp’s misdirected cross in England’s 0-0 draw with Colombia at Wembley, nobody would remember the game. Instead, the ever-unpredictable keeper cleared the ball with the infamous, acrobatic “scorpion kick”. In March this year, Higuita reflected on the moment. “It was a play of luxury. It was spectacular. It was marvellous to the eyes of the world,” Higuita told City AM. He’s not wrong.