Football is a sport of moments, and in UEFA competitions, few moments are more electrifying than a goal scored within seconds of kickoff. These lightning-quick strikes are not just about speed—they’re about seizing opportunity, catching opponents off guard, and setting the tone for the entire match. In an instant, the pressure shifts, the crowd roars, and the scoreboard tells a story that will be remembered long after the final whistle.
From the UEFA Champions League to the Europa League, fast goals have a special place in football history. They can come from a burst of pace, a precision pass, or a defensive mistake ruthlessly punished. Regardless of how they happen, they showcase the perfect blend of readiness, skill, and instinct.
In this countdown, we revisit the Top 10 Fastest Goals in UEFA History, arranged in reverse order—from number 10 to the fastest ever recorded. Each entry captures the drama, technique, and sheer excitement that only European football can deliver.
| Player | Team | Opponent | Competition | Time (seconds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conor Gallagher | Atlético de Madrid | Real Madrid | Champions League | 28 |
| Dejan Stanković | Inter Milan | Schalke 04 | Champions League | 25.54 |
| Marek Kincl | Rapid Wien | Club Brugge | Champions League | 25.20 |
| Diogo Rincón | Dynamo Kyiv | Fenerbahçe | Champions League | 24 |
| Nedim Bajrami | Albania | Italy | UEFA European Championship | 23 |
| Clarence Seedorf | AC Milan | Schalke 04 | Champions League | 21.06 |
| Alessandro Del Piero | Juventus | Manchester United | Champions League | 20.12 |
| Gilberto Silva | Arsenal | PSV | Champions League | 20.07 |
| Jonas | Valencia | Bayer Leverkusen | Champions League | 10.96 |
| Roy Makaay | Bayern Munich | Real Madrid | Champions League | 10.12 |
10. Conor Gallagher (Atlético de Madrid) vs Real Madrid
On March 12, 2025, in a highly anticipated Champions League round of 16 clash, midfielder Conor Gallagher etched his name into the annals of UEFA history. Playing for Atlético de Madrid, he scored a goal after just 28 seconds against arch-rivals Real Madrid. The atmosphere was electric at the Metropolitano Stadium, and Gallagher’s early strike sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
The goal came from a quick passage of play that began almost immediately after the opening whistle. Atlético’s high-pressing game paid off as a defensive error from Real Madrid gifted Gallagher an opportunity just inside the box. With a composed finish, he slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, stunning the visitors and providing his team with a crucial early lead.
The goal not only put Atlético in a commanding position in the tie but also served as a testament to the team’s tactical approach and their determination to seize every opportunity. Gallagher’s goal, scored in the heart of a heated derby, is remembered for its speed and its immense psychological impact on the match. It highlighted the intensity of the Madrid derby and showcased Gallagher’s predatory instinct in front of goal.
9. Dejan Stanković (Inter Milan) vs Schalke 04
n a UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 5, 2011, Dejan Stanković scored a spectacular goal for Inter Milan that took just 25.54 seconds. The San Siro faithful had barely settled into their seats when a long ball was played over the top of the Inter defense by Schalke’s goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, in this intense UEFA clash.
Neuer, known for his sweeping style in UEFA competitions, had cleared the ball from his penalty area. However, his clearance was met by Stanković, who, standing just inside the opposition half, unleashed a powerful and perfectly executed volley. The ball soared through the air and looped over the head of the retreating Neuer, finding the back of the net in a moment of pure UEFA football genius.
The goal was a display of audacious skill and vision, catching everyone by surprise in the highly competitive UEFA tournament. While the match would ultimately end in a disappointing 5-2 defeat for Inter, Stanković’s magnificent strike remains an iconic moment from that UEFA campaign. It stands as a remarkable example of a player seizing an improbable opportunity in a UEFA fixture and turning it into a moment of pure footballing magic.
Moments like these are what make the UEFA Champions League unforgettable and highlight why the competition is the pinnacle of European club football.
8. Marek Kincl (Rapid Wien) vs Club Brugge
On November 2, 2005, in a crucial Champions League group stage match, Marek Kincl of Rapid Wien scored in an astonishing 25.20 seconds against Club Brugge. The goal came at a time when Rapid Wien was seeking a turnaround in their European fortunes, and Kincl’s strike provided a perfect start.
The play began from the kickoff, as Rapid Wien quickly moved the ball upfield. A precise pass split the Club Brugge defense, and Kincl found himself in a prime position just outside the penalty area. He showed great composure to control the ball and fire a shot into the bottom corner of the net, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. The goal ignited a wave of excitement among the home supporters and provided the Austrian side with a much-needed morale boost.
Kincl’s goal was a classic example of a team executing a fast-paced attack with precision and a striker demonstrating clinical finishing under pressure. Although the goal wasn’t enough to secure a victory on the night, it remains a proud record for Kincl and Rapid Wien, underscoring their ability to compete on the biggest stage.
7. Diogo Rincón (Dynamo Kyiv) vs Fenerbahçe
Diogo Rincón, a Brazilian midfielder playing for Dynamo Kyiv, netted one of the quickest goals in UEFA Champions League history on August 23, 2006. Facing Fenerbahçe in a crucial UEFA qualifying match, Rincón needed just 24 seconds to open the scoring. The match was of immense importance within the UEFA framework, with a place in the group stages at stake.
From kickoff, Dynamo Kyiv immediately pushed forward in this high-stakes UEFA encounter, catching the Turkish side off guard. The ball was quickly moved through the midfield, and a through-ball found Rincón in a dangerous position. With a burst of pace, he broke away from his marker and unleashed a powerful shot that beat the Fenerbahçe goalkeeper in a memorable UEFA moment. The goal set the tone for the entire match and provided Dynamo Kyiv with an early advantage in this prestigious UEFA tournament.
Rincón’s strike was not only a moment of individual brilliance but also a perfect example of a team executing a well-rehearsed, high-intensity start to a UEFA match. The goal was a pivotal moment in Dynamo Kyiv’s UEFA campaign, helping them progress to the group stage of Europe’s premier club competition. Such UEFA highlights underscore why the Champions League is widely regarded as the pinnacle of club football.
6. Nedim Bajrami (Albania) vs Italy
In the opening match of the UEFA European Championship in 2024, Nedim Bajrami of Albania stunned the football world by scoring the fastest goal in the tournament’s history. Facing defending champions Italy, Bajrami found the back of the net after an incredible 23 seconds.
The goal came from a calamitous mistake by the Italian defense. A poorly executed throw-in by Federico Dimarco found its way to Bajrami, who was lurking on the edge of the box. He pounced on the loose ball and, with a powerful and precise strike, fired it past the goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The roar of the Albanian fans was deafening as their team took a shocking lead against one of the tournament favorites.
Although Italy would eventually recover to win the match 2-1, Bajrami’s lightning-fast goal will forever be a part of European Championship folklore. It was a goal that demonstrated the unpredictability and excitement of international football, showing that even the biggest teams can be vulnerable in the opening moments.
5. Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan) vs Schalke 04
On September 28, 2005, Clarence Seedorf scored one of his many memorable goals for AC Milan, but this one was particularly special for its speed. In a Champions League group stage match against Schalke 04, the Dutch midfielder found the net in just 21.06 seconds.
From the kickoff, Milan quickly worked the ball forward. A pass from the right flank found its way to Seedorf, who took a touch and unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the penalty area. The ball flew with incredible pace and swerved past the Schalke goalkeeper, who could only watch as it nestled into the back of the net. The goal gave Milan the perfect start in what would be a hard-fought away match that ended in a 2-2 draw.
Seedorf’s goal was a clear indication of his confidence and his willingness to shoot from any distance. It was an iconic goal that embodied the style of a player who won the Champions League with three different clubs. The goal remains a highlight in the history of the competition and a testament to Seedorf’s incredible talent.
4. Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) vs Manchester United
On October 1, 1997, a young Alessandro Del Piero made a lasting impression at Old Trafford by scoring in just 20.12 seconds for Juventus against Manchester United. The Champions League group stage match was a highly anticipated contest between two European giants.
From the opening whistle, Juventus showed their intent to attack. The ball was moved quickly from midfield to the attacking third. Del Piero received a pass on the left wing, and with a swift turn of pace, he cut inside, beating his marker with a drop of his shoulder. From the edge of the penalty area, he curled a right-footed shot that was perfectly placed to beat the Manchester United goalkeeper.
The goal left the Old Trafford crowd in stunned silence and gave Juventus a vital early lead in a match they would go on to win 1-0. Del Piero’s goal was not just fast; it was also a display of technical brilliance, showcasing the talent of a player who would become a legend of the game.
3. Gilberto Silva (Arsenal) vs PSV
The third fastest goal in UEFA history belongs to Gilberto Silva, who scored for Arsenal in just 20.07 seconds against PSV Eindhoven on September 25, 2002. It was a Champions League group stage match, and the Brazilian midfielder, who was an integral part of Arsenal’s famous “Invincibles” team, started the game with incredible intensity.
The goal was a result of a well-orchestrated team move that began from the kickoff. Arsenal’s attacking players moved the ball forward with speed and purpose, catching the PSV defense off guard. A cross into the box was partially cleared, but the ball fell to Gilberto Silva, who was perfectly positioned to pounce on the opportunity. With a calm and composed finish, he slotted the ball into the back of the net.
The goal set the tone for a dominant performance by Arsenal, who went on to win the match 4-0. Gilberto Silva’s goal was a fantastic example of a team working together to exploit a defensive lapse in the opening moments of a match and showed his knack for being in the right place at the right time.
2. Jonas (Valencia) vs Bayer Leverkusen
In a Champions League group stage match on November 1, 2011, Jonas scored a stunning goal for Valencia in a mere 10.96 seconds against Bayer Leverkusen. The Brazilian striker’s goal was a result of a defensive error that he brilliantly exploited.
From the kickoff, Leverkusen played the ball back to their goalkeeper, Bernd Leno. Under pressure, Leno attempted to clear the ball with a pass, but it was a misplaced one. The pass went directly to Jonas, who was positioned just outside the penalty area. The striker took a touch to set himself and then fired a shot with his left foot that flew past the goalkeeper and into the net.
The speed of the goal was breathtaking, and it left the Leverkusen players and staff in a state of shock. The goal provided Valencia with an instant lead and gave them the momentum they needed to control the match. It stands as the second fastest in Champions League history, a testament to Jonas’s ability to capitalize on a mistake.
1. Roy Makaay (Bayern Munich) vs Real Madrid
The fastest goal in the history of UEFA competitions belongs to Roy Makaay. On March 7, 2007, the Dutch striker scored for Bayern Munich in a Champions League round of 16 match against Real Madrid after an unbelievable 10.12 seconds. The game, which was the second leg of the tie, was a highly charged affair with a spot in the quarter-finals on the line.
The goal came from a simple but perfectly executed sequence. From the kickoff, the ball was played to Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos. However, the legendary left-back took a poor touch, and Bayern’s Hasan Salihamidžić pounced on the error. Salihamidžić quickly threaded a pass through to Makaay, who was sprinting into the box.
The striker, with a clinical first-time finish, swept the ball past the goalkeeper Iker Casillas and into the back of the net. The goal gave Bayern Munich an immediate advantage and a crucial away goal that would ultimately prove decisive. Makaay’s strike is a record that has stood for years and is a masterclass in exploiting a momentary lapse in concentration.
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Conclusion
In UEFA competitions, scoring within the first few seconds of a match is a rare and remarkable feat that can instantly change the game’s dynamics. The fastest goals showcase a blend of skill, sharp instincts, and tactical readiness—moments when players capitalize on early opportunities before opponents can settle. From Roy Makaay’s record-breaking 10.12-second strike to memorable efforts by legends like Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Del Piero, these goals remain etched in football history.
These lightning-fast strikes are reminders that in European football, every second counts. Whether in the Champions League, Europa League, or European Championship, the ability to strike quickly can set the tone and influence the outcome in unforgettable ways. For fans and players alike, the fastest goals capture the excitement, unpredictability, and sheer thrill that make UEFA competitions so compelling.
FAQs
Q: What is the fastest goal in Champions League history?
A: Roy Makaay scored the fastest Champions League goal in 10.12 seconds for Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in 2007.
Q: Who scored the fastest goal in a UEFA European Championship match?
A: Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in a Euros match in 23 seconds for Albania against Italy in 2024.
Q: What is the fastest goal scored in a UEFA club competition final?
A: Paolo Maldini scored the fastest final goal after 50 seconds in the 2005 Champions League final.
Q: Have any goalkeepers scored fast goals in UEFA competitions?
A: No goalkeeper has scored a goal fast enough to feature in the top 10 fastest UEFA goals.
Q: Is the fastest Champions League goal also the fastest in all UEFA competitions?
A: Yes, Roy Makaay’s 10.12-second goal is the fastest in all UEFA competitions.
