Benteke nets FIFA’s fastest goal

Belgium striker Christian Benteke scored the fastest FIFA World Cup qualifying goal after seven seconds against Gibraltar on Monday. The 25-year-old’s strike is also the quickest goal in Belgium’s history.



The Crystal Palace FC striker pounced on a loose ball from the kick-off and dribbled into the box before scoring with a left-footed shot. The goal beat the record of 8.3 seconds set by San Marino’s Davide Gualtieri against England in November 1993.

Benteke added his second before half-time with Axel Witsel also on the scoresheet as Belgium led 3-0 at half-time at the Estadio Algarve in their 2018 World Cup Group H qualifier. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard was also on the scoresheet, along with Dries Mertens, as Roberto Martinez’s side won their third 2018 World Cup qualifier to maintain a 100 per cent start.

In Amsterdam, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba scored a long-range effort as France won 1-0 against the Netherlands. Pogba’s 30th-minute goal means France top Group A ahead of Monday’s opponents and Sweden, who beat Bulgaria 3-0. Meanwhile, Euro 2016 winners Portugal beat Faroe Islands 6-0 with FC Porto striker Andre Silva scoring a first-half hat-trick and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo netting his 66th international goal.