10 facts you may not know about England opponents San Marino

San Marino have never won a competitive match. Credit: PA

The most pertinent question ahead of Thursday's European qualifier against San Marino is how many goals England can score, rather than whether or not they will secure three points.

This may sound presumptuous given how accustomed England fans have become with the feeling of disappointment, but anything less than victory will be seen as one of football's greatest upsets.

It wasn't until 1990 that San Marino first played as a nation in an official match, and they've been breaking records ever since, more often than not for the wrong reasons.

1) San Marino have won one game in their history, beating Liechtenstein 1-0 in a friendly in 2004.

2) They are currently ranked joint 208th in the FIFA rankings, sharing last place with Bhutan.

San Marino are officially the world's worst international team. Credit: PA

3) In their four previous meetings England have scored 26 goals to San Marino's one.

England scored 13 goals in two matches against San Marino during qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. Credit: PA

4) Twin brothers Aldo and Davide Simoncini both scored own goals in a 6-0 defeat to Sweden in 2010, a world first.

Goalkeeper Aldo plays alongside twin brother, Davide. Credit: PA

5) San Marino has a population of just 32,000, less than half of Wembley Stadium's capacity.

An aerial view of San Marino's tiny Stadio Olimpico in Serravalle. Credit: PA

6) A total of 15 teams compete in Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio, San Marino's equivalent of the Premier League, although neither club has its own stadium. Instead, one of five neutral venues is selected at random for each fixture.

7) In 123 official matches they have scored 20 goals, conceding 531.

San Marino line up for a World Cup qualifier against Scotland in 2001. Credit: PA

8) San Marino's form hasn't improved much in recent years, losing each of their 30 World Cup and European Championship qualifying matches since 2008, scoring two goals and conceding 154.

San Marino shipped nine goals against Ukraine in September 2013. Credit: PA

9) They set an unwanted European Championship qualifying record in September 2006 after losing 13-0 against Germany.

Germany scored 13 goals past San Marino in one game. Credit: PA

10) Davide Gaulteri's strike after seven seconds against England in 1993 remains the quickest ever in World Cup qualifying, but they went on to lose the match 7-1.