By being named in the starting XI for Wales in Ryan Giggs’ first game as manager against China, Royals right-back Chris Gunter earned his 86th international cap – and thus became the most capped outfield player in his nation’s history!
The 28-year-old overtook the record held by previous incumbent Gary Speed, and now stands just six appearances shy of Neville Southall’s overall record – the goalkeeper having played 92 games in Welsh colours.
86 international caps at such a young age is a huge credit to the defender – he’s also racked up 262 games for the Royals in less than five seasons, and has barely missed a minute of competitive football in that time. An impeccable record.
It was quite the location to set the record for Gunter – he’s provenly popular in China, as shown on a BBC Wales news report on Thursday!
Meet the @Chrisgunter16 superfans in China... ❤️
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) March 21, 2018
Step aside, Gareth Bale. pic.twitter.com/CNtfBC61vJ
And it was a memorable match in all for the Welshmen; a 6-0 drubbing of their hosts in the semi-final of the China Cup means they will face either Uruguay or Czech Republic in the final, depending on who wins the other tie on Friday.
Gareth Bale’s hat-trick stole the show in Nanning… the Real Madrid forward took a record of his own! Three goals took his international tally to a total of 29, one more than the previous record-holder Ian Rush. Burnley forward Sam Vokes grabbed two, while Hull City loanee Harry Wilson netted the other.
Congratulations to Chris on hitting another landmark for his country!
