Records

Aug. 16 (Reuters) - It took Ajax 34 penalties to beat Panathinaikos 13-12 in a marathon shootout on Thursday, setting a UEFA competition record after their Europa League third qualifying round tie ended 1-1 over two legs and extra time.

Ajax, who won 1-0 at Panathinaikos last week, conceded in the 89th minute in Amsterdam, leading to the shootout that broke the previous record of 32 attempts at the European U-21 Championship semi-final in 2007 where Netherlands beat England 13-12.

Ajax vs. Panathinaikos full 34-penalty shootout

The United States men’s national team bounced back from their opening defeat to France with a fantastic 4-1 triumph against New Zealand in their second group stage game. Saturday’s result ties the biggest Olympic win in USMNT history.

The U.S. men had never scored more than three goals in the Olympics before with their best-ever result being a 3-0 victory vs. Costa Rica in 1984.

Following the 3-0 defeat to France in the opener the USA sat bottom of the group. New Zealand defeated Guinea 2-1 in their first game.

USA vs New Zealand soccer highlights

Thirteen-year-old McKenna Whitham signed a professional contract with the NJ/NY Gotham FC on Friday, making her the youngest player in NWSL history.

Whitham, who turns 14 on Saturday, reportedly signed a guaranteed contract that becomes effective Jan. 1, 2025, and runs through 2028. She also signed a signed a national team replacement player contract, which makes her available to play in upcoming NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup matches.

Gotham FC sign McKenna Whitham

Two Mallory Swanson goals vs Zambia in the 24th and 25th minute put the United States women’s national team out of reach as they cruised to a 3-0 victory in their opening game of the 2024 Olympics. 

The USWNT’s first group stage game was played in Nice, France.

The USA came out swinging to begin their quest for gold, peppering Zambia’s goal with shots. Swanson and Trinity Rodman both rocked the crossbar with efforts early in the first half.

Philadelphia Union prodigy, Cavan Sullivan, became the youngest player (14 years, 293 days) to ever debut in MLS history. The young American was substituted onto the field in the 85th minute, topping off the Union’s comfortable 5-1 home win against New England Revolution at Subaru Park on Wednesday night.

Cavan Sullivan MLS debut; youngest player in North American sports history

The Lamine Yamal goal vs France during Spain’s 2-1 Euro semifinal victory is a moment that will be discussed for decades to come.

Yamal has been setting records left and right during this Euros campaign and found the back of the net for the first time on Tuesday. The 16-year-old is now the youngest player in history to score at the Euros.

With Spain trailing 1-0, Yamal audaciously struck from outside the France penalty area to score a worldie. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan was left with no chance as Yamine’s curling effort hit off the post and in.

Cristiano Ronaldo could’ve made history as the first player to score in six different European Championships during Portugal’s 3-0 victory vs. Turkey on Saturday. Instead, he chose the selfless option to set up Bruno Fernandes.

With Portugal leading 2-0 early in the second half, Turkey’s defense broke down and Ronaldo was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. CR7 already has the title of first player to feature in six different Euros. He could now do the unimaginable and be the first player to score in six Euros.

The Xherdan Shaqiri goal vs Scotland during the 1-1 draw with Switzerland made history as the first goal at the Euros scored by a player who plays in Major League Soccer.

The Chicago Fire man has a habit of scoring ridiculous goals when he has a Switzerland shirt on, and he kept that tradition alive with a screamer into the upper 90 to bring his side level.

Goals don’t get much better than this.

Shaqiri goal vs Scotland

SHAQIRI SHAQIRI

Saturday’s festivities began with a viral video of an Albania fan breaking spaghetti in front of Italy fans. That was a declaration of war.

The video spread like wildfire across the internet as the precious pasta of Italia was destroyed for all to see.

Albania fan breaking spaghetti

Tw: Italianophobia

Albanian fans snapped spaghetti in front of Italian fans ahead of the Italy-Albania Euro 2024 match. pic.twitter.com/7c3c5rByOI

Matt Turner had an incredible performance in the USMNT’s last preparation friendly ahead of the Copa América.

Following the U.S. men’s national team’s embarrassing 5-1 loss against Colombia last Saturday, the expectations and hopes of containing the star-studded Brazilian attack were zero to none, with many American fans anticipating yet another defeat.

Turner had other plans, of course.