31 January 2010 - A Multi-Record Setting Goal

On 31 January 2010, Egypt won the Africa Cup of Nations with a record nineteenth consecutive unbeaten match in the tournament, a streak that dates back to 2004.

The run of unbeaten games started in February 2004, when they played to a scoreless draw with Cameroon in the last group stage match (which was also Egypt's last match of that competition, as they failed to advance). And it continued through the 2006 and 2008 tournaments, both of which Egypt won (their fifth and sixth trophies overall).

Then, in 2010, they remained unbeaten to reach the final, where they faced Ghana. Played before a crowd of 50,000 at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in the Angolan capital of Luanda, the match remained scoreless until the 85th minute, when substitute midfielder Mohamed "Gedo" Nagy scored to put Egypt up 0-1. They held on to that margin to claim their record third consecutive Cup of Nations and seventh title overall.

In addition to being their nineteenth unbeaten match, it was also their record ninth consecutive win. Both streaks remain active as Egypt failed to qualify for the 2012 and 2013 tournaments.

29 December 2001 - Alonso's International Debut

On 29 December 2001, Xabi Alonso made his full international debut. And it wasn't for Spain.

The 20-year old midfielder, then in his second season with Real Sociedad, had played for the Spanish U-18s, making a solitary appearance in 2000. Although he had not taken the pitch for them since then, Alonso, who was born in the Basque city of Tolosa, also qualified to play for the Basque Country national team. And in 2001, manager José Ángel Iribar called Alonso up for a friendly against Ghana.

The teams met at the Estadio San Mamés in Bilbao, where the visitors took an early lead with a goal from midfielder Derek Boateng in the 13th minute. Alonso remained on the bench for the first half, then came on at the start of the second with the Basques still down 0-1.

Alonso's entrance, along with several other subs made at the same time, turned the tide for the home side. They equalized in the 46th minute with a strike from Jon Pérez, then got two goals from Óscar de Paula (60', 67') to lead 3-1. Ghana's Alex Takyi-Mensah pulled one back in the 70th minute, but that was the last of the day's goals and the Basques won 3-2.

Although he has since become a regular starter for Spain, with 106 appearances since 2003, he continues to turn out for the Basque Country on occasion, most recently in December 2011.

6 June 1966 - The Young Yeboah

On 6 June 1966, striker Tony Yeboah was born in Kumasi, Ghana. He went on to become the second black player to appear in the Bundesliga and twice led the league in scoring.

He turned professional in 1981 and spent the first seven years of his career in Ghana. He was the Premier League's top scorer in 1986 and 1987, prompting his move to Germany in 1988 to play for second division Saarbrücken. He was the second black player in the Bundesliga, after his fellow Ghanian international Anthony Baffoe (who was born in Germany). In 1990, he transferred to Eintracht Frankfurt, where his 20 goals in 1992-93 and 18 in 1993-94 tied him for the league's scoring title both seasons.

He joined Leeds in 1994 and became a fan favorite due in part to two memorable goals against Liverpool and Wimbledon, the latter of which was named the Premier League's Goal of the Season for 1995-96.

After three seasons with Leeds, Yeboah returned to the Bundesliga to play for Hamburg from 1997 to 2002, then finished his career with a season at Al-Ittihad Doha in Qatar. Now retired, he is a successful businessman, with his own sports agency and a chain of hotels.