Roy Makaay, then with Bayern Munich, scored the fastest goal in UEFA Champions League history, taking just 10.12 seconds to find the net against Real Madrid in 2007.
Entering the second leg of their round of 16 fixture against the Galacticos with a 2-3 deficit, the Bavarians needed a quick start.
At the first whistle, Real Madrid started off with the ball going back to Fernando Gago who in turn passed it to full-back Roberto Carlos. The Brazilian, one of the greatest attack-minded defenders of all time, received the ball but his heavy touch was soon intercepted by Hasan Salihamidžić.
The Bosnian midfielder then sprinted forward with the ball and crossed for Makaay in the penalty area before the Dutchman confidently slid the ball past Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas to hand Bayern Munich a great start to the match. The Bavarians won the game 2-1 and went on to qualify for the quarterfinals on account of the away goals rule.
Second on this list for fastest goal in UEFA Champions League is Jonas. The Brazilian striker took just 10.96 seconds to score the fastest goal in the UEFA Champions League and it came at a time when Valencia needed a victory to break their winless start to their 2011-12 campaign.
Bayer Leverkusen exchanged four passes from the start of the game with goalkeeper Bernd Leno the final recipient. The German custodian, however, made a horrendous pass to Valencia’s Jonas, who just took a simple touch and scored past a hapless Leno from outside the box.
Gilberto Silva is best remembered as one of the greatest midfielders from Arsenal’s golden period between 2003 and 2007. Besides his contribution in Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ campaign, the Brazilian also scored the Gunners’ fastest goal in the UEFA Champions League against PSV Eindhoven in the 2002-03 season.
Gilberto struck within 20.07 seconds and was assisted by Thierry Henry, who received the ball from Freddie Ljungberg. Henry then went past defender Andre Ooijer and found the Brazilian defensive midfielder waiting for a simple tap-in.
Alessandro Del Piero is fourth on the list for players to score the fastest goal in UEFA Champions League. During his team’s 1997-98 encounter against Manchester United, the Juventus legend gave his team a quick start to the match by collecting a pass into the box and sitting goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel down on the ground before slotting into the net within 20.12 seconds. The Bianconeri however went on to lose the match 2-3.
Dutch great Clarence Seedorf completes the top five list for players with the fastest goal in UEFA Champions League. Playing against Schalke 04, Seedorf, then with AC Milan, exchanged a couple of passes with Kakhaber Kaladze and Kaka before unleashing a shot from range that the Schalke custodian could do nothing about. As per official records, the goal was scored at the 21.06 second mark.
Fastest goal in UEFA Champions League
| Player | Opponent | Time | Year |
| Roy Makaay | Real Madrid | 10.12 seconds | 2007 |
| Jonas | Bayer Leverkusen | 10.96 seconds | 2011 |
| Gilberto Silva | PSV Eindhoven | 20.07 seconds | 2002 |
| Alessandro Del Piero | Manchester United | 20.12 seconds | 1997 |
| Clarence Seedorf | Schalke 04 | 21.06 seconds | 2005 |
Author: William Paul
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Feature photo: AFP /
