Charlie Smith
GIBRALTAR have moved eight places up the FIFA world rankings, climbing to 190th globally, after they won a match for the first time in their history.
The British Overseas Territory leapfrogs Bangladesh, The Cook Islands and Pakistan, having previously been 198th in the world.
It is the highest move in the world by any team and comes after Gibraltar, who became UEFA-affiliated back in 2013, won twice in the space of a week in the Nations League.
The Rock’s first piece of footballing history was made with their 1-0 win over Armenia in the Nations League, where a Joseph Chipolina penalty ended the team’s 22-match wait for their first competitive victory.
Days later Gibraltar claimed their second win, as they came from behind to beat Liechtenstein 2-1, with Chipolina getting on the score sheet again, after George Cabrera found the equaliser for the Gibraltarians.
Gibraltar also close the gap on neighbouring rivals Spain who remain 9th in FIFA’s standings, while England climb one place to 5th after they humiliated the Spanish 3-2 in Sevilla.
Belgium are now FIFA’s top-ranked team, followed by France, Brazil and Croatia.
If Gibraltar can do the double over Armenia when the sides meet again in the Nations League on November 16 then the British overseas territory are in with a chance of reaching the playoffs for Euro 2020.
