Belgium and Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke scored the fastest FIFA World Cup qualifying goal after seven seconds against Gibraltar on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 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.(NAN)
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