It is often said, do not miss a single second in football, even the kick-off as every second counts, especially when it comes to the football’s biggest event FIFA World Cup. Over the years, there have been some exceptional goals scored in the history of the FIFA World Cup. However, football fans are always amazed to see a player score a goal within seconds or minutes.
With the twenty-second edition of the extravaganza event scheduled to take place in Qatar from 21st November to 18th December, 2022, take a look at the fastest goals scored in the FIFA World Cup.
In the 2002 World Cup, Turkey’s Hakan Sukur set a record for the quickest goal ever scored.
Over the years, there have been some fantastic World Cup goals, some of which have occurred extremely early in games.
The World Cup year has arrived, and anticipation for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is already high.
The 2002 World Cup, which was jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea, was the only other occasion in history that the World Cup was staged in Asia.
Over the years, the World Cup has seen the setting and breaking of numerous records. Turkey’s Hakan Sukur, who scored against South Korea in their third-place play-off match in 2002, holds the record for the fastest goal ever scored in the history of the game.
Here listed are the top 5 fastest goals to ever be scored in FIFA history.
1. Hakan Sukur of Turkey
Opponent at the time was South Korea, on the third place play-off
FIFA World Cup 2002
Time: 11 seconds
When Turkey’s Hakan Sukur scored after just 11 seconds of their Third Place play-off match against South Korea in Daegu in 2002, it was the fastest World Cup goal ever.
Despite the Koreans kicking off the game, the former Inter Milan and Galatasaray frontman shattered the record!
Ilhan Mansiz, Sukur’s teammate, threw a defender off balance before putting the ball in the path of the Turkey captain, who calmly slid it past Lee Woonjae in the Korean goal.
The co-hosts equalized after only eight minutes, but Turkey led 3-1 at the break and went on to win the game 3-2.
2. Vaclav Masek of the Czech Republic
Opponent at the time was Yugoslavia, Semifinal
FIFA World Cup 1962
Czechoslovakia advanced to the 1962 World Cup final before falling to Pele and Brazil in Chile.
Only seven goals were scored by the Czech Republic during the tournament, and three of those goals came in their triumph over Yugoslavia in the semi-final.
Since the Czechs went on to lose the game 3-1, it’s sometimes said that you shouldn’t score too early. This may have been the case this time. However, Masek’s record for the quickest World Cup goal stood for 40 years.
Time: 16 seconds
3. Ernst Lehner of Germany
Opponent at the time was Austria for Third-place play-off
FIFA World Cup 1934
Time: 24 seconds
The third-fastest World Cup goal of all time can be found from 1934, with Germany’s Lehner coming in second.
On June 7 in Naples, during the Third Place Play-Off game versus Austria, this goal was scored after only 24 seconds of play.
Germany was motivated to atone for their semi-final loss to Czechoslovakia, and they went on to overcome their neighbors 3-2.
4. Bryan Robson of England
Opponent at the time was France
FIFA World Cup 1982
Time: 27 seconds
Midfielder Robson was England’s star in the 1980s, and in 1982, he scored his first World Cup goal in Spain.
In Bilbao, the Three Lions faced off against France, a rival team from Europe, and “Captain Marvel” gave them the lead after just 27 seconds. Terry Butcher flicked on a long throw, and Robson outran Jean-Luc Ettori to volley low into the goal.
Robson added a second goal, and ex-Ipswich and Arsenal striker Paul Mariner also scored as England went on to win the game 3-1.
5. Clint Dempsey of USA
Opponent ate that time was Ghana on group stage
FIFA World Cup 2014
Time: 30 seconds
Former Fulham striker Clint Dempsey scored the USA’s first goal of the 2014 World Cup group stage after just 30 seconds.
Dempsey gave his nation’s campaign the best possible start in their opening Group G match against Ghana in Natal. Jermaine Jones passed to the striker, who then outran his defender and shot into the far corner.
With eight seconds left, Ghana felt they had salvaged a point, but the US unexpectedly took the lead again after 86 minutes and held on to win.
