Gibraltar unbeaten in six games as unlikely Euro 2028 dark horses emerge

Gibraltar have become one of the surprise stories of the current international break after extending their unbeaten run to six matches – the second-best record among European nations at present behind Spain.

Spain are due to face Croatia on Tuesday evening as they look to continue a much longer sequence without defeat. Gibraltar are nowhere near matching that achievement, but their six-game run is currently the longest active streak in Europe apart from that of La Roja, according to Marca.

The turnaround follows a difficult period in which Gibraltar suffered 12 successive defeats and went 15 matches without a win.

That run ended in June when Gibraltar beat British Virgin Islands 4-0 in a friendly. They followed that result with another convincing victory, defeating Cayman Islands 4-1.

During the September international break, Gibraltar drew 0-0 with Sao Tome and Principe in a friendly before recording another goalless draw against Andorra. They then drew 1-1 with Malta in the UEFA Nations League League D.

Their latest match brought a further positive result, with Gibraltar beating Liechtenstein 2-0 in a friendly to complete an unbeaten sequence that has attracted increasing attention.

Wiseman leads revival

The change in fortunes has come under manager Scott Wiseman, who was born in Kingston upon Hull and represented England Under-20s three times before choosing to play for Gibraltar.

Wiseman won 38 international caps for Gibraltar before retiring from playing. He spent a period coaching both the men’s and women’s national teams before being appointed head coach of the men’s senior side in June.

“It is a huge honour to be appointed head coach of the Gibraltar men’s senior national team,” Wiseman said when he was introduced. “Representing Gibraltar, first as a player and now as a coach, has been the greatest honour of my career.”

He added: “I am excited by the opportunity ahead and fully committed to helping our players continue to develop, compete and make Gibraltar proud on the international stage.”

Gibraltar’s squad is largely made up of players from the domestic league, although Arsenal player James Scanlon is a notable exception.

Scanlon, who was born in Leicester in 2006, came through Manchester United’s academy before joining Arsenal last summer to play for their reserve side.

He has represented Gibraltar at youth level and, in March 2024, became the youngest player to appear for the senior team. He was just over 17 at the time and made his debut under former manager Julio Ribas.

Initially a winger, Scanlon has scored six international goals, with his latest coming in the draw against Malta.

“We are gaining confidence and applying our style of play,” Wiseman said. His ambitious target is to guide Gibraltar through the remainder of the year without defeat.

Two Nations League matches remain, against Andorra and Malta, and both will be played during the November international break.

Could Gibraltar spring a surprise?

Gibraltar’s run prompted The European Football Express account on X to ask: “The fact Gibraltar are on a six-game unbeaten run is not something I ever imagined I would write! The question now is: could they be the dark horses at the next European Championship?”

The Gibraltar Football Association’s official account replied: “I think you’re pointing to the answer.”

On current form, only Spain have a better record among European nations, placing Gibraltar among the continent’s most intriguing teams.