Austria have registered their first ever win in a EURO finals thanks to late goals from two of their substitutes. They led through a fine strike by Lainer, but were pegged back by Pandev’s latest moment of history. But Gregoritsch entered the history books himself with the 700th EURO finals goal, before Arnautović rounded it off late on.
Evergreen Pandev scores North Macedonia’s first major tournament goal
Goran Pandev scored North Macedonia’s first major tournament goal in their opening Euro 2020 game against Austria on Sunday, becoming the second-oldest scorer in European Championship history.Â
Pandev profited from a mix-up in the Austrian defence to guide an easy finish into an unguarded net after 28 minutes, levelling the score at 1-1 after Stefan Lainer’s volleyed opener.
At the age of 37 years and 321 days, Pandev became the second-oldest player to score at the Euros, behind Austria’s Ivica Vastic, who was 38 years and 257 days old when he netted against Poland in 2008.
North Macedonia are competing in their first major tournament and Pandev’s goal came just over 20 years after his international debut on June 6, 2001.
The Genoa striker retired from international football in 2013 but was persuaded to return three years later.
He scored the goal that secured his country’s qualification in a 1-0 UEFA Nations League playoff final against Georgia in November.
Photo – Michael Gregoritsch (C) of Austria scores the second of his team during the UEFA EURO 2020 group C preliminary round soccer match between Austria and North Macedonia in Bucharest, Romania, 13 June 2021. EPA-EFE/ROBERT GHEMENT
