Historic draw for Gibraltar in first UEFA game

Gibraltar produced a memorable performance to claim an historic draw with Slovakia in their first game as UEFA members in Portugal tonight. Despite creating numerous openings the 2010 World Cup qualifiers failed to score and Gibraltar gained a result which was just reward for their valiant defensive effort and composed play.

Heroes...Gibraltar before kick off

Unsurprisingly Slovakia dominated the opening exchanges but it was Gibraltar who, cheered on by 400 noisy fans, created the first opportunity in the 9^th minute. A flowing move resulted in Jeremy Lopez releasing Adam Priestley who saw his deflected shot saved by Tomáš Košický.

2 minutes later Slovakia nearly opened the scoring when Freiburg midfielder Karim Guédé was given too much space in the box but Joran Perez saved well with his feet. The non-FIFA side went straight up the other end and after Priestley was fouled Liam Walker forced Košický into another save from the free kick.

The Slovakians dominated the rest of the half with Viktor Pečovský firing over in the 36^th minute before Daniel Duarte headed a Jakub Sylvestr effort off the line. Despite the pressure Gibraltar stood firm and went in all square at the break.

The Slovakia pressure continued in the second half with captain Stanislav Šesták heading wide in the 55^th minute. Pavol Farkaš tested Perez 5 minutes later before David Depetris curled a long-range effort narrowly wide. 

In the 81^st minute Šesták came even closer when he volleyed towards goal from close range but once again Perez was equal to the effort. With 2 minutes to go the Lincoln stopper did well to deny Guédé. 

Veteran striker Al Greene had a chance to claim a sensational winner in the 89th minute but he fired over. Hearts were in mouths as Guédé rattled the bar in stoppage time after a corner but in the end Gibraltar hung on for a memorable draw and clean sheet.

Our exclusive gallery will be available on our Facebook page soon. Gibraltar are next in action in March when they host the Faroe Islands.

Match information -

Score: Gibraltar 0-0 Slovakia

Gibraltar XI: Perez; R. Chipolina (c), Wiseman, Higginbotham, J. Chipolina; R. Casciaro, Walker, Duarte [K. Casciaro 56’], Guilling [Sergeant 66’], Lopez [Bado 46’]; Priestley [Greene 66’].