THE football world held its breath ahead of tonight’s big international clash as San Marino attempted to end their two-decade wait for victory.

However, the microstate in northeastern Italy will have to wait and see after missing a golden opportunity for a golden win.

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San Marino is ranked as the worst national team according to the FIFA rankings, having lost 192 of the 201 matches it had contested before tonight.

It is the fifth smallest country in the world with a landmass of 61 km2 – about half the size of Manchester – and a population of just 33,000.

Yet goals in each of their last three matches – including against Denmark, who were until recently ranked in the top 20 countries in the world – appeared to show an upturn in their fortunes.

And a match against Caribbean side Saint Kitts and Nevis – ranked 63 places above San Marino at 210th in the FIFA rankings – presented a great opportunity to finally get a win on the board after twenty years.

San Marino was sensationally the bookmakers’ favorites to win the match in Serravalle.

Things started well when Filippo Berardi scored a penalty after 21 minutes to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

It led to a fan, who goes by ‘San Marino fan account’ on social media and started a campaign to have Jose Mourinho rule the nation, saying: ‘BERARDI YOU SEXY SEXY SUN OF A BEACH.’

The cheers didn’t last long, however, as Tyquan Terrell evened the score in the 31st minute.

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Things got worse on the stroke of half-time when Andre Burley scored a second for the visitors after the home side failed to clear their lines from a corner.

Any hopes of San Marino mounting a comeback were crushed shortly after the break when Harry Panayiotou scored a third in the 49th minute.

The match would end 3-1, meaning San Marino is now without a win in 137 games.

And it means Liechtenstein and Anguilla can both breathe a sigh of relief that their own joint record of 35 games without a win would not become the new holder.

Liechtenstein is the only team to beat San Marino in its history, with a 1-0 win in 2004 thanks to a goal from Andy Selva, the country’s all-time top scorer with eight goals.

San Marino captain Matteo Vitaioli made his debut some 17 years ago but is yet to win.

However, all is not lost.

The match will be repeated on Sunday, which means Vitaioli and Co will have the chance to make amends.

As quoted by the BBC ahead of the first match of the double-header on the possibility of a victory, the 34-year-old said: “It would mean that I am part of the history of the national team of my home country, so it is final goal.

“It represents an opportunity to leave a mark, something that cannot be lost. It would be something that would be remembered in 2050 and beyond because there have been so few victories.”

A NEARBY star is about to go supernova, finally making it visible to the naked eye.

According to NASA, this is a one-time event, as this recurring nova eruption only happens about once every 80 years.

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There is no risk that Earth will be hit by the mighty explosion, which is said to have the same force as a hydrogen bomb.

When NASA says the star is “close,” what it actually means is that it is in a galaxy 3,000 light-years away.

The star, T Coronae Borealis or T CrB, last exploded in 1946.

But NASA astronomers believe the rocket will explode again between February and September 2024.

Normally the galaxy is too faint to see with the naked eye.

During a supernova, T Coronae Borealis will be as bright as the North Star Polaris for several days.

According to NASA, amateur astronomers will be able to observe the star in the sky for a little longer using binoculars.

Where in the sky?

The exploding T Coronae Borealis will appear as a bright “new” star near the constellation Coronae Borealis.

Coronae Borealis, also known as the Northern Crown, is a small U-shaped constellation between the constellations Hercules and Boots.

NASA advises luminary astronomers to “get familiar” with the Corona Borealis star system sooner or later.

“This returning nova is just one of five in our Milky Way,” NASA added.

“This happens because T CrB is a binary system with a white dwarf and a red giant.

‘The stars are so close that, as the red giant becomes unstable due to increasing temperature and pressure and begins to shed its outer layers, the white dwarf collects that matter on its surface.

‘The white dwarf’s shallow, dense atmosphere eventually warms enough to cause a runaway thermonuclear reaction – which produces the nova we see from Earth.’

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SINGING in the shower with your partner can wash away relationship worries, experts say.

The combination of soapy water and songs increases the release of a chemical in the brain that strengthens the bond between lovers.

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And the study even found that it can reduce the risk of divorce and “deepen understanding and empathy within a relationship.”

The report says: “Singing songs with deep emotional content together in the shower can significantly deepen the emotional bond between partners.

“Music and singing naturally release dopamine – known as the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter in the brain.

“This chemical boost not only improves mood, but also improves feelings of happiness and satisfaction within the relationship, contributing to a more positive shared environment.”

It adds: “Singing has been scientifically shown to reduce stress levels by reducing cortisol in the body.

“Singing together in the shower offers a dual benefit: It acts as a stress-reducing activity that also promotes emotional connection, reducing potential triggers for marital discord.”

A spokesperson for bathroom company Plumbworld, which commissioned the research, claimed: ‘Singing songs together in the shower can increase happiness and make couples feel closer to each other.

“It shows how music and doing things together can improve our relationships. It’s a nice way to communicate more.”

ADDITIONAL Northern Lights could be visible this month due to gaps in Earth’s magnetic field.

That’s what scientists say, who claim that the sun is at its most active peak.

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We know that the sun follows an eleven-year solar cycle, which is controlled by its magnetic field.

It is powered by the poles on the sun changing places about every eleven years.

It is said that the sun has reached the stage in this cycle where increased solar activity can result in more sightings of the Northern Lights.

Eruptions and eruptions from the solar surface have been observed to become increasingly intense and extreme.

WHAT ARE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?

The Northern Lights, also known as the Northern Lights, are created when Earth’s magnetosphere is bombarded by solar wind.

It is the solar wind that interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field, creating the beautiful green-blue appearance.

Charged particles from the sun hit atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere and give them a higher energy state.

When the atoms fall back to their lower energy state, light is released.

HOW TO BEST SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

A NASA study 75 years of data show that March is often the best month to see the Northern Lights.

With the sun in its high solar activity phase, this month could be your best chance to see the best Northern Lights in the next decade.

To see the natural phenomenon at its best, a visit to a country in the Arctic Circle is ideal.

However, sometimes the lights are so strong that you can see them as far away as Florida.

It is best to check the space weather forecasts for your region.

You can take a look at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website.

When it is dark, go to an area where there is no light pollution and be patient as it may take some time for the Northern Lights to appear.

Please note that the Northern Lights may look dim with your eyes, but bright through a camera due to a higher aperture setting.

By Rebecca English, Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Mail

Published: 7:39 AM EDT, March 15, 2024 | Updated: 08:12 EDT, March 15, 2024

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SIR ALEX FERGUSON celebrated his first ever win at the Cheltenham Festival as Monmiral claimed victory in the Pertemps Network Final.

The legendary Manchester United manager was seen with a big smile on his face moments after the win as the 25/1 shot came in for Kyntara.

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It is the biggest outsider to win at the festival so far this week, as pre-race favorite Cuthbert Dibble had to settle for third.

Fergie co-owns the seven-year-old horse with Ged Mason and John and Lisa Hales.

After the win, the ex-Red Devils boss said: “Well, that was fantastic, what a jockey.

When asked if it was “the same buzz as the Champions League”, he added: “Oh no, that’s different, that’s different.”

He also claimed that the horse is “absolutely” a champion in the making.

Jockey Harry Cobden said: “I can’t believe this horse won, he was 25-1 and I thought he should have been 125-1.

“Fair play to the trainer, Hannah, who rides him most days. The blinders have made a huge difference.

“I am very happy with this winner.”

Former England manager Sam Allardyce was spotted with Fergie as Monmiral crossed the line.

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BRYONY FROST thinks an unknown 66-1 has a ‘brilliant’ chance of a shock success at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

Sun Racing’s star columnist put in an extra good word for Stavvy in Wednesday’s Champion Bumper.

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The Flat race is run over two miles and has been a benchmark for brilliant horses over the years, won by the likes of Sir Gerhard, Envoi Allen and Cue Card.

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Frost rode Stavvy to a nine-length win when the four-year-old gray was last seen at Southwell three weeks ago.

The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained runner, who was sent off at 4-1, found an extra gear a furlong away and drove past the post.

Stavvy was the last horse to reach the 24-runner field when the declaration was made on Monday.

But she told Sun Racing the horse has a strong chance of beating his odds.

She said: “He is a beautiful horse that I won on for Jane Chapple-Hyam at Southwell and he really impressed me.

“He was in great condition when I worked him at Newmarket on Thursday – I struggled to pull him up!

“Now he’s in line and I, believe me, he’s definitely not a 66-1 shot!”

That’s Frost’s only booked ride at the festival at the time of this writing, so she’ll give anything to pull off an upset.

But she also had a good word to say about some of Paul Nicholls’ chances.

Frost, who finishes at Ditcheat, said: “Paul is sending a select team, but there is still plenty to look forward to.

“You can scratch Stage Star’s last run and you will see a much better horse if he goes for Ryanair.

“It is a front-runner’s race that requires good jumping and he can certainly do that.

“I recently galloped Stay Away Fay – who is in the Brown Advisory – at Kempton and he jumped impeccably.

“He is an extreme stayer who you wouldn’t trade for anything else.

‘Last year he won the Albert Bartlett but fencing is definitely his thing – he has trained brilliantly and is in very good condition.

“Ginny’s Destiny is one of the favorites for the Turner and rightly so as he is constantly improving.

“This is of course his biggest test to date, but he is a course specialist, knows his way around and is a very flexible jumper.

“Il Ridoto is back for another crack at the Plate and he is completely refreshed, boxing and playing.

“He always makes a bold offer and will do it again.

“And I have to mention Bravemans game in the Gold Cup. Hopefully the ground won’t be too sticky, because that will test his endurance.

But he’s back where the team wants him and if things dry out a bit by the end of the week, he’ll blast over the last two hurdles there.

“Paul has a nice team for the Bumper, and Teeshan looks great. He has made a lot of gains in the past two weeks.

“But don’t forget the Quebecois, a kind of Captain Teague – who will welcome the step up if he goes for the Albert Bartlett – and who has also worked well.”

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ARSENAL have the chance to go top of the Premier League when they take on Brentford in a huge clash in the Emirates THIS evening.

The Gunners made history on Monday night as they became the first team in England to score FIVE or more away goals in three consecutive games – and they will be away for more tonight.

• Start time: 5:30 PM GMT
• Stream/TV: Sky Sports PL/NOW TV