Football is all about excitement and one of the most exciting things that can happen in the game takes just seconds to come off.
Football is known to be a game of surprise and passion which gives reason why the fastest goal in football history has inspired even fans themselves as well players.
Not only does this record of scoring a goal within seconds after the kick off highlight an instance of any player’s instinct, reaction and adaptiveness to quick play requirement but also it brings freshness in setup-moment such that at least you have something fascinating going on very soon.
This overview will help you better understand the top 10 fastest goals ever recorded in football, illustrating just how brilliant and well-timed each goal is executed.
Top 10 Fastest Goals in Football History: Notable Records and Players
10. Bart van der Veer: A Moment of Glory
A crazy goal was scored in the fifth tier of Dutch football, and that goal got on Bart van der Veer who needed only a few seconds to find an empty net.
On 12 April 2014, van der Veer scored after just less than four seconds of a game with Oeverzwaluwen vowing by LTC.
However, with the kick-off just over halfway inside LTC’s half of the field, he took a chance shooting direct from that position catching an unsuspecting goalkeeper totally off balance.
It was the final appearance of an incredible career. Whilst Oeverzwaluwen spent the campaign battling against relegation, ending up finishing bottom of the Eerste Klasse Saturday League, van der Veer’s brilliant achievement would be sung down through generations.
A festival footballing miracle fans and players would remember forever after.
9. Richard Wetton: A Swift Striker’s Impact
It was Richard Wetton’s fine clocked in 2017, with a goal that highlighted the incredible reflex and presence of mind demonstrated on field.
Oakwood faced Lingfield in what was to be a memorable match for the Hills, who have relied on so much support from others when they needed similar less than 18 months ago.
Wetton was involved from the opening whistle with immediate impact. As the ball was kicked off he ghosted his way up to near the opposition half and seized upon a defensive error by Lingfield.
Wetton scored 3.57 seconds into the game and only Wetieron received a beautifully orchestrated pass, perfectly in his stride and he hit home with ice-cool precision.
His drive flew into the net of an unsuspecting Lingfield keeper within seconds, and went down in history as one of the quickest goals seen in football.
Oakwood did end up losing the game 2-6 but Wetton’s goal helped inject a little hope and it also shows how sharp his reactions were.
As fans and teammates rejoiced in what was undoubtedly a world-class goal, Wetton entered the annals of football legend to prove that occasionally games are encapsulated by one momentous strike, no matter how many or few goals on which it’s scored.
8. Colin Cowperthwaite: A Lightning Strike
Colin Cowperthwaite scored after just 3.55 seconds to set Barrow on the way to a 4-0 defeat of Kettering Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
The game started in great fashion with Cowperthwaite latching onto a chance as the referee blew his whistle to get things underway.
He knew where the KICK-OFF was coming from then fired into life with a clever run which took him towards the half way line.
The ball flew into the back of the net just as quick and before Ketterings was able to react, Cowperthwaite received a swift pass only moments earlier.
Not only did this outstanding achievement make history but also administrative thought for the way towards a master display by Barrow on that event.
The taste of thrill only football can provide is encapsulated in the memory of Cowperthwaite’s goal.
7. Fred: A Flash of Brazilian Brilliance
During a Campeonato Mineiro encounter between America Mineiro and Vila Nova back in 2003, Brazilian forward Fred also showed he was one special player when dunking the ball into an empty net after only 3.17 seconds.
Fred’s natural instinct with timing quarters and easy positioning helped him to anticipate the kick-off well, at a time when Vila Nova was disorganized in defense.
His rapid strike flew into the net quicker than the opposition goalkeeper could blink. This was the story of one man’s incredible feat, but America Mineiro labored hard and lost this match by 1-5.
Regardless, Fred’s stunning goal established him as one of the countless Brazilian gems in forward positions and showed how brilliance can come forth even when the odds are stacked against.
6. Ricardo Olivera: A Record-Breaking Strike
During the year 1998, Ricardo Olivera scored a goal in no less then just twenty-eight and tenth seconds to create what still happened to be considered as world records of fastest goals recorded till date.
And you will see the extent of his anticipation in this clip, as he moved before a whistle had even been blown by the referee while playing for Rio Negro Capital in Uruguay battling it out against local amateur club Pacaembu.
Placed cleverly around half a circle, he intercepted the ball almost right from kick-off and took an immediate shot which (for Soriano Interior’s goalkeeper) was lightning fast to reach his net before even positioning.
However, despite this moment of brilliance the game ended 1-1 which just goes to show that magic can at times be overlooked when considering a whole match. Record-books will tell your story in Olivera’s style, locked on football history which was well-crafted with his capabilities and quick thinking.
5. Marc Burrows: A Record-Setting Start
The headline-maker in 2004 was Marc Burrows who scored a goal for Cowes Sports Reserves against EastleighReserves, of the Harwood-Vauxhall Isle of Wight Saturday League, from kick-off and inside his own half after just 2.56 seconds.
Burrows intercepted from the kick-off to make it 1-0 before time had really begun at Eastleigh off the back of a mistake in their defense.
He managed a remarkable accuracy and struck the ball clean into the net before the opposition could assess.
The first goal had been scored in seconds and set the scene for an exciting match that would eventually be won 5-3 by Cowes Sports.
The way in which Burrows took his record-setting goal not only summed up how sharp of an eye he possessed but served to engrave him into local football history, forever the focus of memories from those that saw it happen.
4. Jack Lyons: A Youthful Sensation
Jack Lyons was showing off his talents in this 2023 FA Youth Cup and incredibly, he scored a brilliant free kick just 2.52 seconds after the Rusthall man kicked-off their tie against Chatham Town Lyons capitalized on a Chatham miscue as the whistle blew to open play, and scored off balance at midfield.
He hit the ball clean as a whistle into the back of the net before they even had time to notice, such was his speed and accuracy. Advantage of this early goal set the ball rolling and Rusthall went on to win 5-2 in a commanding performance.
The record-breaking strike for Lyons was a statement of his potential, and the type of talent that youth football competitions promise.
3. Ryan Hall: A Flash of Brilliance
In 2023 Ryan Hall illustrated his still excellent form in the London Senior Trophy final, netting it after only 2.31 seconds for damn Croydon FC against Cockfosters.
With the top of the table clash building up to kick-off, tension was high in an electric atmosphere and Hall pounced on a momentary lapse by Cockfosters defense.
Seeing the ball flying at him as soon as he heard the referees whistle, Miles intercepted and placed a shot that had hit the back of net before his opponents could even comprehend what they saw.
This sensational opener set the tone for a 3-0 easing win by Croydon FC. Not only will Hall’s wonder goal forever be held up in the checks and balances of time as a marker that this kid is legit, but also his place amongst one of FA Cup competition.
2. Vuk Bakic: A Record-Breaking Display
The record books will have noted a true wonder goal at just 2.2 seconds for GSP Polet v FK Dorcol by Vuk Bakic. Bakic showed fantastic reflexes and spatial awareness due to the quality of his intervention.
As he intercepted the ball only a fraction of a second after kick-off before hitting an unstoppable shot right past Petrovic without any real time for defensive cover.
The commanding start was reflected at the end of the game which GSP Polet won 4-1. The incredible timing and execution from Bakic merely highlighted his ability, but also ensured that he’ll go down in the history books of football.
1. Gavin Stokes: The Pinnacle of Speed
Top spot goes to Gavin Stokes who in 2017 netted an unbelievable goal just 2.1 seconds into the game for Maryhill against Clydebank, during a Superleague Division One (Scotland).
Upon the sound of the ref’s whistle, Stokes showed his lightning-fast speed and awareness by intercepting immediately from kick-off.
He had brilliantly dispatched the ball into the back of the net before any Clydebank man could react.
One of the quickest goals in footballing history, it not only potentially turned Maryhill’s fortunes but also ensured that they recorded a 3-0 win and left Stokes with one foot through to legend status on account of his extraordinary turn-of-foot alone.
Other Historical Fast Goals
Nicklas Bendtner: A Fast Start Against Tottenham Hotspur
Nicklas Bendtner scored for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur in just 2.1 seconds during the North London derby back in September of 2010.
Straight from the kick-off, Bendtner ensured that was not possible as he won possession and found himself through on goal at lightning speeds much to the astonishment of a deep Spurs defence.
The speedy opening set the scene for this incendiary clash, which was Bendtner flexing his talent in one of the highest pressure games you can play.
Kevin-Prince Boateng: Swift Excellence for AC Milan
In 2013, Kevin-Prince Boateng provided a sensational early effort with only 2.4 seconds into the game for AC Milan against Sassuolo. Boateng nearly immediately made a goal of his cautious coverage.
The result of premier positioning in the defensive backfield with some good old timely anticipation after the whistle hadn’t even sounded yet.
He quickly pounces and slots the ball into goal, showcasing his finishing abilities. This early goal was a crucial component of what eventually became an AC Milan steamrolling, proving Boateng’s knack for converting timely chances.
Karim Bellarabi: A Lightning Goal for Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen’s Karim Bellarabi scored one of the goals of 2014 by lighting up the Bundesliga after only 9 seconds vs Werder Bremen.
With the game barely beginning and fired to a single play after Bellarabi took possession of the kick-off quickly attacked, escaped by way of imposing shot picture before half goalkeeper prevented you could react defender.
This impressive act not only excited the followers but showed how pacey and phenomenal Bellarabi doing his work, making him one of fastest goals in bundesliga till date.
Conclusion
Football is the definition of excitement, and one example to prove this point would be early goals. There have been efforts by the likes of Gavin Stokes, Vuk Bakic and Ryan Hall too.
These skilful players combine not only sublime timing but a nose for an opportunity for those briefest moments where everything changes.
And while the statistics alone make for great moments, it’s more often about what happens off the back of one of these record breaking events.
They create excitement and it gives fans something to cheer on.
While we go on to witness those outstanding plays at the pitch, the marvel of these fast strike players will make a generation push the limit, while others improve from speed and accuracy in football.
An early goal is the single most thrilling reminder of how beautiful this game can be and why we ever willingly nail ourselves to its cross.
