In Euro 2016 qualification matches today, one of the least interesting games has given us a historic moment.
Gibraltar has no hope of qualifying for the finals of the tournament. They’re not even recognized by FIFA yet as a member nation, and has only been allowed into UEFA competitions in 2013 through legal action in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. They get demolished in every match they play. Through four matches in this qualification cycle alone, they’re 0-0-4 with 21 goals conceded and zero goals scored.
Until today.
They may have lost to Scotland 6-1, but that one is a historic goal. It was scored in the 19th minute by Lee Casciaro, who is a policeman by day, but a soccer player by night. The goal is the first internationally sanctioned goal at a UEFA or FIFA level in the country’s history.
Pretty cool finish for a policeman.
It actually tied things up 1-1 at the time, although they’ve since capitulated, and Scotland leads big as expected. They have held Scotland scoreless through most of the second half until allowing 2 goals late, which is positive. Baby steps, folks.