Spain midfielder Pedri has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo to set a new record for the most major tournament appearances by any European player aged 21 or under.
At the age of 21 years and 218 days, Pedri made his 13th European Championship or World Cup appearance during Spain's last-16 match against Georgia at Euro 2024 on Sunday.
It is also the fourth game the Barcelona midfielder has started in the Euros knockout stages while aged 21 or under, the most of any such player.
That ensured he beat Ronaldo's tally of 12 tournament outings for Portugal before turning 22, which came at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.
Pedri made his senior international debut as an 18-year-old in March 2021, going on to enjoy a breakout tournament at the delayed Euro 2020 as Spain reached the semi-finals before suffering penalty shoot-out heartache against eventual champions Italy.
He won UEFA's Young Player of the Tournament award for that competition, having completed more passes in the opposition half (317) than any other player.
Only Jordi Alba, Marco Verratti (both 12) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (11) bettered his tally of 10 open-play chances created, meanwhile.
After playing all six of Spain's games at Euro 2020, he was also an ever present at the 2022 World Cup, ranking 12th among all players for open-play passes (426) despite La Roja exiting at the last-16 stage having only played four matches.
In the first two matchdays at this tournament, Pedri led all Roja players for chances created (six), assisting Fabian Ruiz's goal in their 3-0 win over Croatia.
He has some way to go to match Ronaldo's overall achievements at that tender age, though.
Ronaldo registered two goals and two assists as Portugal finished as Euro 2004 runners-up to Greece on home soil, then helped them to a fourth-place finish at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol managed 11 major tournament appearances for Croatia (four at Euro 2020, seven at the 2022 World Cup) before he turned 22 earlier this year, putting him one behind Ronaldo but unable to draw level.
Pedri's new record could yet come under threat from England talisman Jude Bellingham, however.
Bellingham drew level with Pedri on 12 earlier on Sunday when England faced Slovakia in the round of 16, having already made 11 Euros/World Cup appearances to better the tallies recorded by Spain's Cesc Fabregas, Belgium's Enzo Scifo and Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger before turning 22.
With Bellingham not turning 22 until next June, he could yet seize the record if Spain suffer a swift exit and England go all the way at this year's competition.
By scoring the winner in the Three Lions' opening Group C fixture against Serbia, Bellingham became the first European player to appear at three different tournaments before turning 21, featuring at Euro 2020, the Qatar World Cup and Euro 2024.
He is also just the second player to score at both the Euros and the World Cup while under 21, after fellow Englishman Michael Owen, who netted at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
Anderson rips through Nottinghamshire ahead of England farewell
James Anderson tore through the Nottinghamshire batting line-up with seven wickets on Tuesday, just eight days before his Test farewell at Lord's for England.
The 41-year-old is set to call time on his storied red-ball career after the first clash with West Indies, which starts next Wednesday, but offered a timely reminder of his qualities in Southport.
Appearing in the County Championship Division One fixture, Anderson ripped through Nottinghamshire with a remarkable 7-35 as the visitors were bowled all out for just 126 in their first innings.
Anderson went wicketless in the second innings after the follow-on was enforced, though the opening bowler could be forgiven for his mind being elsewhere.
The Lancashire veteran will end his international playing career at Lord's in the first of a three-Test series against the Windies before moving into a coaching role for the final two matches.
Anderson has taken 700 Test wickets, the most of any fast bowler in the history of the format, and will offer incomparable experience to England's youthful bowling attack.
"He's got so much to offer English cricket. We don't want to see that go," England's managing director Rob Key said on Monday after Anderson's coaching appointment was confirmed.
"When we asked him, he was keen. He is going to have a lot of options. English cricket would be very lucky if he chooses to stay in the game."
As for Anderson's availability for Lancashire, who are still 143 runs ahead of Nottinghamshire, Key says that will be decided in time.
"What he does with Lancashire will probably work out after the Lord’s Test," added Key.
"We've got some conversations to have after to find out what he thinks is the best thing to do. Everything so far has been him gearing up for this Test match."
Turkiye's Demiral makes Euros history with rapid start against Austria
Turkiye's Merih Demiral scored after just 57 seconds on Tuesday, shattering the record for the fastest goal in the history of the European Championship knockout rounds.
The Turkiye defender profited from two fortuitous deflections from an early corner, rocketing into the roof of the net to open the scoring against Austria in the last 16.
That strike marked the fastest goal for Turkiye at major tournaments (World Cup or Euros) since Hakan Sukur against Korea Republic at the 2002 World Cup (11 seconds), another competition record.
Remarkably, there were no goals in the first minute of a match in the first 16 editions of the European Championships (1960-2020) – now there have been two in the opening minute at Euro 2024.
A youthful Turkiye side also became the first team in the Euros knockout stages to name two teenagers (Kenan Yildiz and Arda Guler) in their starting XI since Hungary in 1964 against Denmark.
At the age of 25 years and 254 days, Turkiye named the youngest starting XI in a European Championship knockout stage game as well, since Belgium against Wales at Euro 2016 (24y 242d).
Euro 2024 social round-up: The Dutch take over Munich and Ed Sheeran's private performance
The Euro 2024 round of 16 comes to an end on Tuesday.
Romania and the Netherlands are in action in Munich, with their fans creating quite the atmosphere.
Turkiye and Austria face off later on.
And there was also plenty of reaction from the previous matches of the round, too. We've picked out some of the best social media posts.
Private Ed-ucation
England thought they were heading out of the tournament until Jude Bellingham's moment of brilliance against Slovakia on Sunday.
And along with a quarter-final against Switzerland coming as a reward, the Three Lions' squad got an extra treat when pop sensation Ed Sheeran visited their camp to put on a private performance.
Clips of the gig made it onto social media. Perhaps that is what England need to add some spark to their performances?
Oranje takeover
The Dutch fans have been an off-field highlight in Germany, and they were in fantastic voice again as they travelled in their thousands to Munich to cheer on Ronald Koeman's team against Romania.
It was a sea of orange (or Oranje), and it really is some sight.
Fans in unison
But it wasn't just the Dutch fans enjoying themselves in Munich ahead of kick-off.
In fact, supporters of both the Netherlands and Romania joined up to have a sing and dance in the fan park before the match.
Ronaldo's tears
Cristiano Ronaldo was in the limelight on Monday, albeit not for the reason he would have wanted.
The Portugal star missed a penalty in extra time against Slovenia, and relied on his goalkeeper Diogo Costa to get the Selecao out of trouble by making three saves in the shootout.
Ronaldo was in tears at the interval in extra time, though it all worked out in the end. Portugal will face France in the last eight.
CR7's free-kick woes
That penalty was not the only set-piece Ronaldo squandered against Slovenia, with the 39-year-old also trying his luck from free-kicks.
In fact, Ronaldo has now taken 60 free-kicks at major tournaments, yet he has only scored one (against Spain at the 2018 World Cup).
Opta Analyst posted a handy graphic of all those free-kick attempts on X, while also providing a comparison with Lionel Messi, who has scored five out of 53 free-kicks at major tournaments.
Talk about adding insult to injury, guys...
Bellingham's 'most important goal'
Bellingham was the man in England's 'diary room' on Tuesday, and he mentioned how he made sure to give Marc Guehi credit for helping to tee up his overhead kick against Slovakia.
The 21-year-old called it "the most important" goal of his life, too.
There's plenty of spirit in the England camp. Can they translate that into a better performance, though?
Safety first...
Gareth Southgate has come in for plenty of criticism for his conservative tactics at Euro 2024.
And that has seen some accounts join in with what has become something of a pile-on... Including, bizarrely, KFC.
Their official X account posted an AI-generated image of Southgate in a hi-vis, helmet and gloves while frying chicken. Poor old Gareth.
Memphis' new(er) look
Memphis Depay debuted a headband in the group stage, but it looks like he's now switched up the colour from white to black.
He has scored one goal so far, though that came in a defeat to Austria. Will this new look change his luck?
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
