Hakan Suker holds the record for the fastest goal scored in FIFA World Cup history.
We have often seen teams take advantage of the nervy early seconds with a strong, high press in big games and sometimes, that gamble is worth its weight in gold.
There have been multiple instances like that in FIFA World Cup history, where the opposition took a little too long to settle in after the whistle was blown and before they could realise, the keeper was picking the ball from his net.
Here’s a look at the top ten fastest goals in the marquee tournament.
Fastest goal in FIFA World Cup history
|
Scorer |
Time |
Nation |
Opponent |
Year |
|
Hakan Sukur |
11 secs |
Turkey |
South Korea |
2002 |
|
Vaclav Masek |
16 secs |
Czechoslovakia |
Mexico |
1962 |
|
Ernst Lehner |
24 secs |
Germany |
Austria |
1934 |
|
Bryan Robson |
27 secs |
England |
France |
1982 |
|
Clint Dempsey |
30 secs |
USA |
Ghana |
2014 |
|
Emile Veinante |
35 secs |
France |
Belgium |
1938 |
|
Arne Nyberg |
35 secs |
Sweden |
Hungary |
1938 |
|
Bernard Lacombe |
37 secs |
France |
Italy |
1978 |
|
Florian Albert |
50 secs |
Hungary |
Bulgaria |
1962 |
|
Adalbert Desu |
50 secs |
Romania |
Peru |
1930 |
Alphonso Davies (Canada) vs Croatia, 2022 - Fastest goal in FIFA World Cup 2022
Canadian star Alphonso Davies scored his country's first-ever goal at the FIFA World Cup against Croatia at the Khalifa International Stadium. In the second minute of the game, he expertly headed Tajon Buchanan's ball from the right flank to beat the keeper to score the fastest goal of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Hakan Sukur (Turkey) vs South Korea, 2002 - 11 seconds
The former Inter Milan forward had scored in just 11 seconds against hosts South Korea to register the fastest goal in World Cup history.
South Korea’s dream run at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, under Guus Hiddink, culminated with this 3-2 defeat in the third-place play-off of the against Turkey, orchestrated by this early goal from Hakan Sukur.
Vaclav Masek (Czechoslovakia) vs Mexico, 1962 - 16 seconds
Vaclav Masek, who scored five times for Czechoslovakia in his career, scored in just 16 seconds against Mexico in the 1962 World Cup. This goal held the record for the fastest goal in the tournament history for four decades, until Sukur broke it in 2002. However, Czechoslovakia went on to lose this game 3-1.
Ernst Lehner (Germany) vs Austria, 1934 - 24 seconds
In the second-ever FIFA World Cup held in 1934, Germany finished third after winning the third-place play-off against Australia by a 3-2 scoreline. Ernst Lehner, who scored 31 goals in 65 matches for his national side, scored twice that day. This includes the opening goal of the game, which arrived in just 24 seconds.
Bryan Robson (England) vs France, 1982 - 27 seconds
Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson scored in just 27 seconds against France during England’s group stage encounter against them in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. England emerged victorious 3-1 after Robson added another to his tally, alongside Paul Mariner.
Clint Dempsey (USA) vs Ghana, 2014 - Fastest goals in FIFA World Cup
American forward Clint Dempsey produced a moment of magic against Ghana in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He surged forward from the left side, dribbled past two defenders before placing it neatly past the Ghanaian keeper. This is the fastest goal by a non-European footballer in FIFA World Cup history.
Featured Image: PRESSINPHOTO SPORTS AGENCY / Alamy Stock Photo
