10 Fastest Goals in Football History (List)

In the world of football, scoring a goal is often seen as the pinnacle of achievement, but there is something truly special about scoring in the blink of an eye. From lightning-fast strikes to record-breaking feats, here are the top 10 fastest goals in football history:

In 2017, Richard Wetton scored the first goal in Longfield's 6-2 away win over Oakwood in the Peter Bentley Challenge Cup, and it came all the way from kick-off, just over the halfway line.

However, interestingly, the game was 1-1 after 40 seconds, as the other team restored parity off a counterattack.

Cowperthwaite's goal for Barrow against Kettering Town in 1979 remains the quickest in full English national competition, etching his name in football history.

Known as "Fred," Chaves scored a lightning-fast goal directly from kick-off in 2003, setting a record as the fastest goal in Brazilian football.

Almeida's goal for FC Oliveira do Hospital against Atletica de Arganil in 2011 showcased his lightning-fast reflexes in a Coimbra regional game.

Argentine striker Ricardo Olivera's goal against Soriano in 1998 was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest goal scored for many years.

Despite being scored in an amateur match, Marc Burrows' wind-assisted goal for Cowes Sports Reserves against Eastleigh Reserves in 2004 is officially recognised by the English Football Association as one of the fastest goals of all time.

Jack Lyons scored the fastest-ever FA Youth Cup goal during Rusthall's 5-2 win over Chatham Town in 2023. Like most of the goals on the list, it came from kick-off and completely caught the Chatham goalkeeper off guard from 50 yards out.

In 2024, Hall scored for Croydon FC against Cockfosters in the London Senior Trophy, as the forward found the back of the net straight from kick-off, setting his team off to a 3-0 win.

In 2012, while playing for GSP Polet, a Serbian youth team, Bakic scored against FK Dorcol after just 2.2 seconds. He scored from the centre circle to set his team off to a solid 4-1 victory.

Gavin Stokes owns the title of the fastest-ever goal in football history. The goal came in 2017 while playing for Maryhill in the lower levels of Scottish football against Clydebank.

Stokes scored after just 2.1 seconds from the halfway line, setting his team off to a 3-0 victory.