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THE SCOREBOARD Great victory in Torilla’s debut for Gibraltar, and first place in the group stage.
BY GEORGIOS TONTOS
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ibraltar starts the UEFA Nations League campaign with a winning result, after beating San Marino 1-0 at home. It was a very competitive game for the second group of League D, in the debut of the talented young Graeme Torilla with the national team, affording three points in the battle for the first position of the group against Liechtenstein and San Marino.
the Nation League, in the return of Scott Viseman to the team after four years of absence. With coach Rimbas, the team built the foundations for victories in the group's next games, creating a competitive team with experienced players such as Liam Walker, Scott Wiseman and Lee Casciaro, and talented young players such as Olivero and Torilla helping the team significantly.
In an empty stadium with just a few officials, substitutes and press due to the global conditions and the new UEFA regulations, it was an unusual scene for a football match. Something that definitely affected both teams and certainly Gibraltar much more as a host. This was evident as the first significant chance came in the 35th minute of the match, while the San Marino team did not create any opportunity in the first half, giving Gibraltar goalkeeper Dayle Coleing a quiet first half.
Ribas has made five changes to the starting line-up since last November's 6-1 defeat to Switzerland, with Jack Sergeant, Erin Barnett, Joseph Chipolina, Mohamed Badr and Tjay De Barr being replaced by Scott Wiseman, Louie Annesley, Anthony Hernandez, Jayce Olivero and Graeme Torrilla, who scored in his debut, turning his goal into a late birthday present two days after his birthday.
It was the third official victory in the history of Gibraltar with Julio Ribas as coach after last year's great victories against Armenia and Liechtenstein for 70
Gibraltar started the game better with experienced defender Wiseman making many runs from the right, and with his side attacks creating serious problems in the defense of San Marino. In the 35th minute, the first proper
chance for Gibraltar was created; a great passage of play saw Wiseman’s cross headed wide by Ethan Britto. Eight minutes later, Gibraltar managed to score and unlock San Marino’s closed defense. Liam Walker’s free-kick found the head of Torrilla, who guided the ball past Benedettini, and sent Gibraltar to the locker room with the victory score. At the beginning of the second half, San Marino created the opportunity of the match with Fillipo Berrardi being in an advantageous position for a goal, but shot outside Coleing's right post. Gibraltar woke up after that miss and regained control of the game, looking for a second goal that would give them a comfortable win. Torilla's debut with the national team was just his second appearance in 16 months after his serious injury in April 2019. Many runs in the center field and many offensive actions were made by the young player. The next match for Gibraltar is in Liechtenstein on the 10th of October. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020
