Aritz Aduriz becomes the oldest ever goalscorer for Spain
When he claimed the fourth and final goal against Macedonia, the Athletic Bilbao striker made Spanish footballing history at the age of 35 years and 275 days.
Age is just a number
Aritz Aduriz has taken his place in Spanish international football history. With his goal against Macedonia the Athletic Bilbao striker became the oldest ever player to score for the Spanish national side at 35 years and 275 days. And it was as if the official Spanish FA social media team had their Twitter feed ready: "Congratulations, Artiz!" it read as it proclaimed the news.
And the record had stood for some time. Back in 1930, José María Peña Salegui had registered a goal against Portugal in a friendly. At the time he was 35 years and 225 days old. The next closest happened in 1961 when Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano scored his final goal for La Roja aged just 141 days over his 35th birthday.
The record could be extended
But who's to say Aduriz is finished. A composed finish in Granada after coming on for a disappointing Morata may see the forward get more chances for the national team and as March comes around next year - when the qualifiers resume - the man from San Sebastian will have already turned 36. He'll have to go some way to getting the all-time record however which is held by Welshman Billy Meridith. He was over 45 years old when he scored his last international goal, against England in 1919.
