Aduriz becomes Spain’s oldest scorer in Macedonia rout

Aritz Aduriz became the oldest man to score for Spain in an international, netting the final goal in their 4-0 victory over Macedonia in the World Cup qualifying Group G match on Saturday.

At 35 years and 275 days, the Athletic Bilbao striker was 50 days older than the previous record holder Jose Maria Pena, who had set the mark in 1930 when scoring against Portugal.

Spain had to overcome resistance from a dogged Macedonia side before running out easy winners with a strong second-half display to remain top of the group. An own goal by Darko Velkovski broke the deadlock at the Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada in the 34th minute after Julen Lopetegui’s side survived a couple of early scares, and Vitolo doubled the lead in the 63rd.

Nacho Monreal and substitute Aduriz struck in the space of a minute late on to turn what at times was a testing encounter game into a thrashing.

Spain top the group on 10 points, level with second-placed Italy, who won 4-0 at Liechtenstein on Saturday.