The fastest goals in soccer history: Big stars missing from the rankings

Records for rapid scoring are not uncommon in football. Robert Lewandowski once scored five goals against Wolfsburg in nine minutes, Sadio Mané recorded a hat-trick in under three minutes, and Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Luis Suárez have all scored in every minute of a match. However, the record for the fastest single goal is mentioned far less often. In this article, nowgoalmobi.net lists the 10 fastest goals in soccer history, along with the circumstances behind each one.

List of the fastest goals in soccer history

Please note that this list includes the fastest goals ever recorded across all competitions, regardless of whether they were scored in professional or semi-professional leagues.

10. Richard Wetton (2017, Oakwood v Lingfield): 3.57 seconds

The match took place in March 2017, when Oakwood faced Lingfield in the Southern Combination League One, a semi-professional league in England. From a goal kick, Richard Wetton received a short pass from a teammate and immediately struck a long-range shot from the center circle. The ball sailed over the Lingfield goalkeeper and into the net, stunning everyone in the stadium.

9. Colin Cowperthwaite (1979, Barrow v Kettering Town): 3.55 seconds

An even faster goal came in the match between Barrow and Kettering Town in the Alliance Premier League, the predecessor of today’s National League, on December 8, 1979. From the kick-off, Colin Cowperthwaite struck the ball from midfield straight into the net. At the time, footballs were heavier and boots less advanced than today. This goal remained the fastest in English league football for more than four decades.

8. Fred (2003, América Mineiro v Vila Nova): 3.17 seconds

In Brazil, 19-year-old Fred, whose full name is Frederico Chaves Guedes, shocked spectators with a direct shot during América Mineiro’s Copa São Paulo de Juniores match on January 12, 2003. It remains the fastest goal in the history of professional and semi-professional football in Brazil. Fred’s career gained momentum after this moment, leading to promotion to América Mineiro’s first team and a later move to Cruzeiro.

7. Megan Searson (2016, UoMA Marauders v Minnesota Crookston): 3 seconds

This goal came in a women’s collegiate match in the United States. The University of Mary Marauders faced Minnesota Crookston on September 22, 2016, in the NCAA. From the kick-off, Megan Searson launched a long-range shot that looped over the goalkeeper and into the net. The clock showed exactly three seconds, placing her among the fastest goalscorers across all levels and genders.

6. Carlos Almeida (2011, Oliveira do Hospital v Associação Atlética de Arganil): 3 seconds

Another goal timed at exactly three seconds occurred on November 6, 2011, in a Portuguese Third Division match between Oliveira do Hospital and Associação Atlética de Arganil. Carlos Almeida struck directly from the kick-off, catching the Arganil goalkeeper completely off guard. While some sources initially suggested a slightly longer time, local authorities and video footage confirmed the three-second mark.

5. Ricardo Olivera (1998, Rio Negro Capital v Soriano Interior): 2.8 seconds

Ricardo Olivera’s 1998 goal is widely regarded as one of the fastest ever and was officially recognized at the time as a world record. It was scored from the kick-off in a regional league match in Uruguay between Rio Negro Capital and Soriano Interior. After the match, video evidence was reviewed and validated. The goal helped popularize the idea that goals could be scored in under three seconds.

4. Cheung Sai Ho (1993, Portsmouth Cup): 2.8 seconds

A rare example involving an Asian player came in 1993, when Cheung Sai Ho from Hong Kong scored during the Portsmouth Cup, an international youth tournament held in England. After reviewing match footage, the goal was recognized at the time as the fastest in world football.

3. Marc Burrows (2004, Cowes Sports Res. v Eastleigh Res.): 2.56 seconds

Marc Burrows scored in just 2.56 seconds during a 2004 Wessex League match against Eastleigh Reserves. The goal was officially recognized by the English FA as the fastest ever in a league match. It also sparked debate, as Burrows used strong wind conditions to his advantage, leaving the goalkeeper no chance to react. The record was later confirmed by the FA.

2. Vuk Bakic (2012, GSP Polet v FK Dorćol): 2.2 seconds

In 2012, Vuk Bakic stunned Serbian football by scoring almost immediately after kick-off. With his first touch, he sent the ball high and directly into the net before the FK Dorćol goalkeeper could recover position. Video analysis confirmed the ball crossed the line after just 2.2 seconds, highlighting the remarkable power and accuracy of the strike.

1. Gavin Stokes (2017, Maryhill v Clydebank): 2.1 seconds

Gavin Stokes scored after only 2.1 seconds in a West of Scotland Super League First Division match against Clydebank on April 1, 2017. While not officially recognized as a world record due to the league’s semi-professional status, the goal is widely regarded as the fastest in Scottish football history and one of the quickest ever captured on video.

This completes the updated list of the fastest goal in soccer history. For more schedule and facts about football, see here.