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.