Faro (Portugal) (AFP) – Christian Benteke set a new World Cup record for the fastest goal in the competition, including the finals, scoring after seven seconds in Belgium’s qualifier against Gibraltar on Monday.
The 25-year-old Crystal Palace striker picked up the ball in the first action of the Group H qualifier in Faro and racing towards goal with the Gibraltar defence in disarray left goalie Deren Ibrahim with no chance.
Benteke’s quick-fire goal eclipsed the previous best of 8.3 seconds achieved by San Marino’s Davide Gualtieri in a World Cup qualifier against England in November 1993.
The record for the fastest goal in a World Cup finals match is 10.8 seconds by Turkey’s Hakan Sukur against South Korea in 2002.
Benteke was called up as a replacement for injured team-mate Romelu Lukaku. His goal was also the fastest in Belgium’s history.
