Watch: Liberec's Jan Sykora bags quickest-ever Europa League goal
Reuters
Slovan Liberec midfielder Jan Sykora didn't wait long to etch his name into the continental record books, scoring the fastest goal in Europa League history Thursday against Qarabag.
Sykora's ninth-second tally bested Vitolo's effort a year earlier for Sevilla, when the Spaniard scored after 13.21 seconds against Villarreal.
Here's a look at the fastest goals in Europa League history, according to UEFA's official statistics:
| Rank | Player | Time | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan Sykora | Slovan Liberec | 9.00 | 2016 |
| 2 | Vitolo | Sevilla | 13.21 | 2015 |
| 3 | Ismael Blanco | AEK Athens | 15.19 | 2009 |
| 4 | Keita Balde | Ludogorets | 16.88 | 2014 |
| 5 | Juan Mata | Valencia | 18.18 | 2010 |
| 6 | Sergio Aguero | Manchester City | 19.19 | 2012 |
| 7 | Taison | FC Salzburg | 20.08 | 2012 |
By contrast, the fastest goal in Champions League history was by Roy Makaay in 2006-07, when the Dutch Bayern Munich striker scored in 10.12 seconds against Real Madrid in the Round of 16.