A head-turning statistic surrounding the efforts of Barcelona and Spain prodigy Alejandro Balde has come to the fore on Saturday evening.
For those not aware, Balde was back in action a short time ago, on the international front.
Owing to a stellar stretch of form at club level, the 19-year-old was afforded a starting berth for Spain, in the country’s European Championship qualifying showdown with Norway.
And, once more, Balde went on to fully justify his inclusion.
En route to a comfortable La Roja triumph, the talented young left-back saw out the 90 minutes, helping Luis de la Fuente’s troops to an eventual clean sheet.
Not only that, but he made his presence felt at the other end of the pitch, too, in laying on Dani Olmo’s opener before a late Joselu brace put Spain out of sight.
🗣️ “The first goal under new head coach Luis de la Fuente is scored by Dani Olmo!”
Spain lead Norway having dominated the early period of the game 🇪🇸
What a flick, though 🤌#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/O650SAmaV8
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 25, 2023
As revealed by statisticians Opta, on Saturday, the Barcelona sensation became just ‘the third player under the age of 20 to assist a goal for Spain in a competitive fixture since 2006′.
The other two? Club teammate Pedri, and former Blaugrana star Cesc Fabregas.
3 – Alejandro Balde (19 years and 158 days) is the third player under de age of 20 to assist a goal for Spain 🇪🇸 in a competitive match since at least September 2006, after Cesc Fèbregas vs Northern Ireland in 2006 (19y 125d) and Pedri vs Kosovo in 2021 (19y 126d). Premiere. pic.twitter.com/FkZu16NkvY
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 25, 2023
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