These are the swiftest goals in history!
Football is a highly tactical game, with teams meticulously strategizing for each match and often focusing on controlling the game rather than launching an all-out attack from the start. Consequently, early goals are a rare occurrence. In the Premier League, Shane Long, who scored just 10 seconds into the game against Watford in 2019, held the record for the fastest goal. Yet, this pales in comparison to the fastest goals in football history, which are shown in the following list.
In 2017, during a Scottish football match between Maryhill and Clydebank, Gavin Stokes astounded spectators by scoring the fastest goal ever recorded. His shot from the halfway line took only 2.1 seconds to find the net, helping Maryhill secure a 3-0 victory. Following this remarkable achievement, Stokes played for Dundee United and Alloa Athletic in Scottish League One, and he also represented Scotland in youth competitions. Tragically, in October 2022, Stokes passed away at the age of 30 after losing control of his vehicle in a car crash in Glasgow.
In a 2012 Serbian youth match between GSP Polet and FK Dorcol, Vuk Bakic scored a remarkable goal just 2.2 seconds after kick-off, helping Polet to a 4-1 victory. Bakic’s extraordinary strike from the centre line stands out, especially given the challenging field conditions visible in the footage. Despite this impressive goal, little is known about his subsequent football career. However, Bakic has a social media channel with over 13,800 followers, where he shares videos of his football skills, including a notable free-kick goal during an informal street football match.
In a 2024 London Senior Trophy match between Croydon FC and Cockfosters, Ryan Hall scored the opening goal just 2.31 seconds after kick-off, contributing to Croydon’s 3-0 victory. Noticing the Cockfosters goalie’s position away from the post, Hall seized the opportunity to score immediately. Ryan Hall began his professional football career at Crystal Palace. In November 2007, he debuted with the Queens Park Rangers under manager Peter Taylor. A year later, he returned to Palace’s first team, playing in an FA Cup third-round match against Watford. Throughout his career, Hall has also played for clubs such as Luton Town, MK Dons, and Leeds United.
In 2023, Jack Lyons set a record for the fastest-ever goal in the FA Youth Cup. Playing for Rusthall against Chatham Town, Lyons scored just 2.52 seconds after kick-off, catching the opposition goalkeeper by surprise and contributing to Rusthall's 5-2 victory. Lyons had scored three goals in 16 appearances for Rusthall in the 2023–24 season. Despite his impressive feat, both Rusthall and Chatham Town have struggled in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.
In 2004, Marc Burrows made history by playing for Cowes Sports Reserves in a match against Eastleigh Reserves. Using a clever kick-off strategy, his teammate swiftly passed him the ball, and Burrows unleashed a powerful shot from just past the halfway line, only 2.56 seconds into the game. The Eastleigh goalkeeper was caught off guard, and Burrows' goal set the tone for Cowes Sports Reserves’ eventual 5-3 victory, securing their place in soccer history.
Other players who also follow closely in the fastest goal record score book are Ricardo Olivera (2.8 seconds), Fred (3.17 seconds), Colin Cowperthwaite (3.55 seconds), Richard Wetton (3.56 seconds), and Bart van der Veer (3.6 seconds).
