Emanuele Giaccherini scores fastest ever Italy goal
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Emanuele Giaccherini scored a record-breaking goal, but Italy fumbled a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 in a charity friendly with Haiti in Rio de Janeiro.
Cesare Prandelli's troops only arrived in Rio 34 hours before this game, which was played at Vasco da Gama's Estádio São Januário.
They certainly weren't jet-lagged, though, as the Azzurri took the lead just 19 seconds into the game.
Antonio Candreva was released into space down the left-hand side, and the Lazio midfielder hooked the ball into the middle of the area for Giaccherini.
The Juventus winger controlled the cross instantaneously before immediately firing past a helpless Haiti goalkeeper Frandy Montrevil.
It was Giaccherini's second senior Italy goal and the fastest ever scored by an Azzurri player, surpassing the 20 seconds that it took Salvatore Bagni to score against Mexico in February 1984.
Claudio Marchisio then put Italy two goals to the good, but Olrish Saurel and Jean-Philippe Peguero both struck late to stun the Italians.
"I am happy! It's nice to know and satisfying to have scored for Italy," Giaccherini told Rai Sport.
"But the result counts and I hope today's draw can spark something within us to make us give more in the Confederations Cup."
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| Italy player Emanuele Giaccherini scores his side's first goal against Haiti Photo: Getty Images |
Cesare Prandelli's troops only arrived in Rio 34 hours before this game, which was played at Vasco da Gama's Estádio São Januário.
They certainly weren't jet-lagged, though, as the Azzurri took the lead just 19 seconds into the game.
Antonio Candreva was released into space down the left-hand side, and the Lazio midfielder hooked the ball into the middle of the area for Giaccherini.
The Juventus winger controlled the cross instantaneously before immediately firing past a helpless Haiti goalkeeper Frandy Montrevil.
It was Giaccherini's second senior Italy goal and the fastest ever scored by an Azzurri player, surpassing the 20 seconds that it took Salvatore Bagni to score against Mexico in February 1984.
Claudio Marchisio then put Italy two goals to the good, but Olrish Saurel and Jean-Philippe Peguero both struck late to stun the Italians.
"I am happy! It's nice to know and satisfying to have scored for Italy," Giaccherini told Rai Sport.
"But the result counts and I hope today's draw can spark something within us to make us give more in the Confederations Cup."
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