9 Seconds & In! Lukas Podolski (Germany) vs Ecuador
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Lukas Podolski scored the fastest goal in the Germany national team's history in a 4-2 friendly win over Ecuador on Wednesday.
Podolski, making his 109th international appearance, broke the deadlock within nine seconds of kick-off.
Several spectators at the FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, were yet to take their seats when the Arsenal striker took advantage of a defensive mix-up.
Straight from kick-off, Ecuador played the ball back to defender Gabriel Achilier, who dallied and lost it to Podolski.
Podolski dribbled a couple of steps and converted on a shot from the left-hand side of the box beyond goalkeeper Maximo Banguera.
The goal was timed at just over nine seconds, just slower than Davide Gualtieri's goal after 8.3 seconds for San Marino against England in 1993 - the fastest goal in international football.
Lars Bender then bagged a brace either side of Podolski's second as Germany engineered themselves a four-goal lead inside the opening 24 minutes.
Antonio Valencia and Walter Ayovi reduced the arrears for Ecuador, but the Germans prevailed despite fielding some unfamiliar faces.
"That's great and I would lie if I said it meant nothing to me - I'm happy to take this record," said Podolski on the website of the German Football Association.
"But I would not read too much into it. There have been more important goals."
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| Germany striker Lukas Podolski celebrates his goal in the ninth second of play against Ecuador Photo: Reuters |
Podolski, making his 109th international appearance, broke the deadlock within nine seconds of kick-off.
Several spectators at the FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, were yet to take their seats when the Arsenal striker took advantage of a defensive mix-up.
Straight from kick-off, Ecuador played the ball back to defender Gabriel Achilier, who dallied and lost it to Podolski.
Podolski dribbled a couple of steps and converted on a shot from the left-hand side of the box beyond goalkeeper Maximo Banguera.
The goal was timed at just over nine seconds, just slower than Davide Gualtieri's goal after 8.3 seconds for San Marino against England in 1993 - the fastest goal in international football.
Lars Bender then bagged a brace either side of Podolski's second as Germany engineered themselves a four-goal lead inside the opening 24 minutes.
Antonio Valencia and Walter Ayovi reduced the arrears for Ecuador, but the Germans prevailed despite fielding some unfamiliar faces.
"That's great and I would lie if I said it meant nothing to me - I'm happy to take this record," said Podolski on the website of the German Football Association.
"But I would not read too much into it. There have been more important goals."
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