Cyprus Kicks Off World Cup 2026 Qualifiers with Win Over San Marino

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the UEFA zone began with a match between Cyprus and San Marino, where the hosts secured a 2-0 victory. Despite a heroic performance from San Marino goalkeeper Edoardo Colombo, who made 11 saves, his efforts were not enough to prevent defeat.

The opening goal of the qualifiers came in the 55th minute, courtesy of Ioannis Pittas. The Cypriot forward capitalized on a defensive error, stealing the ball from Michele Cevoli and slotting it into the net. The hosts doubled their lead late in the game when Kakoullis finished off a cross from Kostis, sealing the 2-0 victory.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Qualifiers

Cyprus - San Marino 2:0 (0:0)
Goals: Pittas, 55 (1:0); Kakoullis, 86 (2:0)

Cyprus: Mall; Panagiotou N.; Correia An. (Malekkidis, 74); Kousoulos (Kyriakou Cham., 74); Shelis; Satsias; Pittas; Tzionis (Kakoullis, 63); Sotiriou P. (till 63); Loizou (Gavriel, 89); Kastanos
Substitution: Kosti I. (from 63)
Bench: Demetriou D.; Neofytos; Kyprianou; Artymatas; Charalampous C.

San Marino: Colombo; Benvenuti T.; Fabbri (Benvenuti G., 85); Cevoli; Tosi A.; Capicchioni (Sensoli, 64); Contadini; Golinucci A.; Zannoni (Giacopetti, 77); Nanni N.; Berardi F. (till 63)
Substitution: Valli Casadei (from 63)
Bench: Zavoli; Rossi D.; Valentini; Pasolini; Mularoni; Vitaioli M.
Yellow Cards: Valli Casadei 76; Tosi A. 90