FIFA Times Benteke At 8.1 Seconds For Fastest World Cup Goal

Belgium’s Christian Benteke holds up six fingers to show how many seconds he thought it took for him to score against Gibraltar. In fact it was eight. Photograph: Rafael Marchante/Reuters

FIFA says Belgium forward Christian Benteke took 8.1 seconds to score the fastest goal in World Cup history.

Associated Press report continues:

The official timing confirmed Tuesday means Benteke's goal in a qualifying match against Gibraltar was 0.2 seconds quicker than Davide Gualtieri for San Marino in 1993. Gualtieri needed 8.3 to score in a qualifier against England.

While Benteke went on to score three in Belgium's 6-0 win on Monday, San Marino eventually lost 7-1 after its record start.

Benteke scored despite Gibraltar kicking off. The Crystal Palace forward robbed the ball after two touches by the defense, drove forward and scored with a clipped shot over the goalkeeper.

Gibraltar helped write a chapter of World Cup history in just its third qualifying match after joining FIFA in May.