Top seven fastest goals scored in UEFA Euro history
These goals are also considered among the best the tournament have ever produced.
Yussuf Poulsen scripted history when he netted one of the fastest goals in the history of the UEFA Euro on June 17 against Belgium. His goal gave Denmark the lead early in the match and helped them dominate the Belgians for the first half an hour of the game.
Poulsen’s strike, however, is not the fastest goal in the history of the UEFA European Championships (UEFA Euro). Here are the top six fastest goals in the history of the tournament.
7. Luke Shaw (England) – 117 seconds
The 25-year-old gave England a dream start after netting with a thunderous volley just 117 seconds into the final of Euro 2020. Luke Shaw received a cross from Kieran Trippier and scored with his first touch past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to sent Wembley into a frenzy.
His goal, just after a minute and 57 seconds, is also the fastest goal scored in a UEFA Euro final surpassing Chus Pereda’s sixth-minute effort for Spain in the 1964 European Nations Cup final against the Soviet Union.
Incidentally, the 25-year-old is also the first Manchester United player to score in a European Championship final. It is also his maiden goal for the Three Lions in 16 appearances.
6. Robert Lewandowski (Poland) – 100 seconds
Poland’s talisman Robert Lewandowski scored past Rui Patricio just one minute and forty seconds after the kick-off in the 2016 edition. After going blank in Poland’s first four matches, Lewandowski scored in just 100 seconds against Portugal. The Bayern Munich striker converted Kamil Grosicki’s delivery from the left.
But his record did not last long. Renato Sanches made it 1-1 going into halftime. The game eventually went into penalties and Poland lost 5-3 in the shootout.
5. Yussuf Poulsen (Denmark) – 99 seconds
Following an emotionally difficult loss against Finland, Yussuf Poulsen gave Denmark the lead in just 99 seconds against Belgium in the 2020 edition. After collecting a loose ball off Denayer, Poulsen netted the ball past Thibaut Courtois’ reach to give Denmark the lead. Denmark’s intensity in the initial minutes, followed by the goal, saw the Danes dominate the first half. Denmark ultimately succumbed 1-2 as Kevin de Bruyne cruised past the Danish defence with a goal and an assist.
4. Emil Forsberg (Sweden) – 81 seconds
Swedish winger Emil Forsberg opened the scoring against Poland in his side’s third UEFA Euro 2020 group stage game on June 23. It took the 29-year-old only 84 seconds to find the back of the nets.
The goal meant that the attacker had scored three goals in his previous four matches for Sweden in all competitions. His goal was also only the second fastest in the history of the UEFA European championships, after Dmitri Kirichenko’s strike against Greece in UEFA Euro 2004.
3. Dmitri Kirichenko (Russia) – 67 seconds
Dmitri Kirinchenko’s strike after just a minute against eventual winners Greece in the 2004 Euros remains the fastest goal to date at the Euro Championships.
However, the Russian side could not avoid defeat and lost 2-1 at full time. Russia went crashing out of the group stage, following back-to-back defeats in the tournament.
2. Merih Demiral (Turkey)- 57 seconds
Turkey defender Merih Demiral set a new European Championship record with a historic goal in Tuesday’s Euro 2024 last-16 match against Austria. In a match anticipated to be a frenetic knockout contest, Demiral needed just 57 seconds to score at the Red Bull Arena. The goal came after an Arda Guler corner caused chaos inside the box, making it the fastest goal in Euro knockout history.
1. Nedim Bajrami (Albania) – 23 seconds
Albania’s Nedim Bajrami scored a goal after 23 seconds against Italy during the 2024 edition and broke the record for the fastest goal ever scored at the Men’s European Championship finals.
**The article was last updated on 3 July 2024, 01:25 AM IST
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