San Marino 0-2 Belarus: Belarus Secure Nations League Victory in Serravalle

Belarus claimed a 2-0 away win over San Marino in their UEFA Nations League fixture at the San Marino Stadium in Serravalle, using patience and a pair of well-timed goals to break down a disciplined home side. The result gave Belarus a valuable three points, while San Marino could take encouragement from a compact defensive display that kept the visitors at bay for long spells.

Played on 13 November 2026, the match followed a familiar pattern: Belarus enjoyed the bulk of possession, San Marino defended in numbers, and the game was decided by moments of quality in the final third. Belarus were the more progressive team throughout, but they had to work hard for their advantage against opponents determined to make the evening difficult.

Match overview

Belarus settled quickly into a rhythm, circulating the ball through midfield and looking to stretch San Marino with wide deliveries. San Marino, meanwhile, sat deep in a disciplined block and looked to spring forward on the counter through their forwards and wide runners. The home side’s resistance was organised rather than passive, with defenders closing down shooting angles and goalkeeper Edoardo Colombo called into action only occasionally during the opening half-hour.

The breakthrough arrived in the 34th minute when Vladislav Klimovich found space just outside the penalty area and curled a low effort beyond the reach of the San Marino goalkeeper. It was a goal that rewarded Belarus for their territorial control, though it came against the run of defensive resilience from the hosts.

San Marino responded with a brief spell of pressure before half-time, winning a corner and forcing a save from Andrey Kudravets. Those moments lifted the home crowd, but Belarus managed the game well after the interval and gradually reasserted their authority.

Key moments

• 34th minute – Belarus take the lead: Vladislav Klimovich produced the game’s first moment of real precision, finishing from the edge of the box after a patient build-up.
• 41st minute – San Marino threaten: A set-piece delivery caused brief panic in the Belarus defence, but Kudravets gathered comfortably at the second attempt.
• 58th minute – Belarus push for a second: Ivan Bakhar worked space on the right and delivered a dangerous cross that was cleared only as far as the edge of the area.
• 78th minute – The decisive goal: Belarus broke quickly through midfield and Dmitry Antilevsky finished calmly to double the lead and end San Marino’s hopes of a comeback.

Tactical story

Belarus’s approach was built on control and patience. Their full-backs pushed high to create overloads in wide areas, while the midfield trio looked to recycle possession quickly and prevent San Marino from settling into a counter-attacking rhythm. The visitors’ best work came when they moved the ball from side to side before attacking the space between San Marino’s wing-back and centre-back.

San Marino’s game plan was clear: defend compactly, protect the central corridor, and take advantage of any set pieces or transitions. For much of the first half, that approach worked. The home side limited clear-cut chances and forced Belarus to shoot from distance. However, the quality of Belarus’s final ball and their ability to sustain pressure eventually told. Once the second goal arrived, the match was effectively over as a contest.

Standout players

Klimovich was central to Belarus’s attacking play, combining technical quality with intelligent movement between the lines. His goal was the highlight of a performance that consistently troubled San Marino’s midfield. Antilevsky also impressed, offering energy and directness before sealing the result with a composed finish. At the back, Kudravets handled the few moments of danger confidently and helped Belarus maintain their clean sheet.

For San Marino, the defensive unit deserved credit for its organisation. The centre-backs stood firm under pressure, and the midfield worked tirelessly to close gaps. The home side lacked the attacking firepower to seriously threaten an equaliser, but their discipline ensured the scoreline remained respectable against a stronger opponent.

What the result means

The win strengthens Belarus’s position in the UEFA Nations League and gives them momentum for the remainder of the campaign. A clean sheet away from home will be particularly pleasing, especially after a performance that combined control with enough cutting edge to secure all three points.

For San Marino, the defeat is a reminder of the challenge they face against higher-ranked opposition, but the performance offered positives. Keeping the game competitive for more than an hour and li