The fastest goals ever in football history
In football, some teams get off to a flying start by attacking early and scoring an early goal. These goals can shape the momentum of a game and have a significant impact on the outcome of the results.
However, which players have scored the fastest goals in the history of the beautiful game?
Gavin Stokes (Goal time 2.1 seconds in 2017 for Maryhill v Clydebank)
The fastest-ever recorded goal was by Gavin Stokes in 2017, as he scored after just 2.1 seconds in Maryhill’s 3-0 win over Clydebank.
Can you ever score too early?!
Has @Maryhill_FC‘s Gavin Stokes scored the fastest goal of all time?
(@clydebankfc)#bbcsportscot pic.twitter.com/GkWV67LfDc
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) April 12, 2017
The goal came in a junior game in the West of Scotland Super League First Division. Stokes’ effort came straight from kick-off.
Vuk Bakic (Goal time 2.2 seconds in 2012 for GSP Polet v FK Dorcol)
Bakic’s goal came in a junior game in Serbia’s second division in 2012. Bakic scored straight from the kick-off in GSP Polet’s 4-1 victory over Dorcol.
The visitors protested that the goal shouldn’t have stood, but the match officials had no reason to disallow the effort, and the game restarted.
Marc Burrows (Goal time 2.56 seconds in 2004 for Cowes Sport vs Eastleigh)
The goal was scored during Cowes Reserves’ 5-3 home win over Eastleigh Reserves in an amateur match, as Burrows scored after just 2.56 seconds. Despite the game being amateur, the FA still recognised the goal.
The forward from the Isle of Wight enjoyed the best spell of his career between 2007 and 2009, scoring 20 goals in 58 games for English non-league outfit Christchurch.
Sadly, the former Portsmouth youth player passed away on 9th February 2009, having been diagnosed with cancer.
Cheung Sai Ho (Goal time 2.8 seconds for Hong Kong Youth team in the Portsmouth Cup)
In 1993, Cheung Sai Ho scored a goal for Hong Kong’s youth team in the Portsmouth Cup. At the time, the goal earned the then-18-year-old the world record for the fastest goal.
Cheung was considered one of Hong Kong’s brightest football prospects. However, the attacking midfielder didn’t quite live up to his potential, although he played 56 times for Hong Kong’s national team from 1995 until 2007 and scored eight goals.
Things took an unfortunate turn for Cheung in April 2011, as according to a police report, he ended his life due to an alleged argument with his wife. He was just 35 years old at the time of his death.
Ricardo Oliveira (Goal time 2.8 seconds for Rio Negro Capital vs Soriano Interior)
The goal was timed at 2.8 seconds, and it was in the Guinness Book of Records alongside Cheung Sai Ho’s effort as the fastest goal ever scored until 2004. Marc Burrows’ 2009 strike knocked it off the top spot as the joint-fastest goal.
Carlos Almeida (Goal time 3 seconds for Oliveira do Hospital vs Associacao Atletica de Arganil)
The goal came straight from the kick-off for Oliveira do Hospital against Associacao Atletica de Arganil in the first tier of the Coimbra Football Association, which is Portuguese’s fourth tier. The encounter 2011 encounter ended 3-0 to Almeida’s team.
Megan Searson (Goal time 3 seconds for UoMA Marauders vs Minnesota Crookstown)
The goal after just three seconds for UoMA Marauders against Minnesota Crookstown in a 2-0 was the fastest-ever goal by a female player during in an NCAA match.
Fred (Goal time 3.17 seconds for Atletico Mineiro vs Vila Nova)
The former Brazilian international made history in 2003 by scoring for Atletico Mineiro against Vila Nova after just 3.17 seconds. Unfortunately for Fred and his team, they lost the game 5-1. However, he did have the small consolation of being the player to score the fastest goal in Brazilian football, a record that still stands.
Fred had a long football career, with the goal being just one of his 395 career goals in the club game. He also scored 18 times in 39 appearances for the Brazilian national team.
Colin Cowperthwaite (Goal time 3.55 sec for Barrow vs Kettering Town)
In 1979, prolific goalscorer Colin Cowperthwaite scored for Barrow after just 3.55 seconds in a 4-0 win over Kettering Town. At the time, it was reported to be the fastest goal in football.
Cowperthwaite was relatively prolific in his Barrow career from 1977 until 1992. He scored 282 goals in 704 appearances for the Bluebirds.
Richard Wetton (Goal time 3.57 seconds for Lingfield vs Oakwood)
Wetton scored straight from the kick-off for Lingfield against Oakwood in the Peter Bentley Cup (an amateur cup competition in England). The goal was timed at 3.57 seconds.
To make the game even more unique, Oakwood went straight up the other end and equalised on 40 seconds through Mervin Bhujun. It is recorded as the fastest that two goals have ever been recorded in a football match. The early goal for Lingfield didn’t do them much good, as they ended up losing the match 6-2.