Gibraltar get historic win after being mistaken for Liechtenstein

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Gibraltar get historic win after being mistaken for Liechtenstein

Gibraltar have won a competitive international for the first time with a 1-0 Nations League victory over Armenia - after being mistaken for Liechtenstein.

The tiny British overseas territory beat an Armenia team including Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan thanks to Joseph Chipolina's 50th-minute penalty.

It was the first time Gibraltar - who had lost 22 competitive games in a row - won a match other than a friendly since joining UEFA in 2013 and their players danced with joy at the final whistle. It was also the first away victory for Gibraltar in any international game.

Yet the night had begun badly for the visitors when the national anthem of Liechtenstein was played before kick-off, prompting a disgruntled Gibraltar FA to take to Twitter.

"The Gibraltar FA is very disappointed to note that, prior to tonight's UEFA Nations League match versus Armenia, the national anthem of Liechtenstein was played," it tweeted.

"The Armenian FA has apologised to the head of delegation representing the Gibraltar FA in Yerevan for this oversight and an announcement has been made at the national stadium apologising for the error."

The blunder appeared to motivate the Gibraltar players as they held out against the hosts - whose best achievement was just missing out on qualification for Euro 2012 - for the last 40 minutes having had only 28 per cent possession and mustering two attempts on target.

Armenia, captained by Mkhitaryan, had 35 shots - 10 of them on target.

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Gibraltar's shock win took them level with Armenia on three points in League D group four, six behind leaders Macedonia. Liechtenstein also have three points.

In other Nations League action, Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum scored as the Netherlands defeated Germany 3-0.

The heavy defeat leaves Germany bottom of League A group one on one point. France lead on four with the Dutch on three.

Germany conceded from a corner on 30 minutes when goalkeeper Manuel Neuer misjudged the cross and was off his line when Ryan Babel headed against the underside of the bar with Dutch captain van Dijk heading in the rebound.

Depay finished three minutes from time on the counter, taking a pass from substitute Quincy Promes after Germany had lost the ball in midfield.

Wijnaldum completed the scoring in stoppage time with a crisp low finish past Neuer.

Coach Joachim Low, in charge for a record 168th fixture, is now under increasing pressure with Germany having lost five matches in 2018 - equalling their most defeats in a single calendar year.

The German team leaves the pitch disappointed.

The German team leaves the pitch disappointed.Credit: AP

Substitute striker Patrik Schick scored the winning goal for the visiting Czech Republic to beat Slovakia 2-1 in League B group one.

Schick rose in the area in the 76th minute to head in a cross from captain Borek Dockal.

Playmaker Marek Hamsik marked his record 108th appearance for Slovakia with his 22nd goal after Czech striker Michael Krmencik scored the opener after a through ball from Dockal.

The Republic of Ireland held off a dominant Denmark to record a goalless draw in Dublin against the League B group four leaders.

Bulgaria fought back from a goal down against Cyprus to win 2-1 at home and jump to nine points from three games in group three of League C.

Grigoris Kastanos put the visitors ahead late in the first half but Kiril Despodov and Todor Nedelev replied after the interval for Bulgaria.

Ole Selnaes scored the only goal for Norway to beat Slovenia 1-0 and move to six points.

Gibraltar's national team created history with their 1-0 win at Armenia in Group 4 of League D.

Joseph Chipolina scored the goal from the penalty spot on 50 minutes as Gibraltar snapped a 22-game losing streak in competitive matches.

In group one of League D, Georgia made it three wins in three by beating Andorra 3-0 while Latvia and Kazakhstan drew 1-1.

Reuters, AP

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