A new record for the fastest goal in Italian soccer history was set yesterday during a fifth-tier soccer match. The goal was scored during an Eccellenza Sicily division match between SC Mazarese and Nissa. This goal has been recorded as the fastest goal in Italian soccer as it was scored within just 3.81 seconds.
The goal was scored by SC Mazarese’s captain, Gioacchino Giardina, who scored straight from the kick-off. Giardina caught the opposition goalkeeper unaware, as he kicked the ball as soon as the referee blew the whistle. The keeper, who was slightly out of his line, couldn’t rush back in time to save the goal. Giardina’s goal helped Mazarese to ultimately win the match with a score of 2-1.
Gino Giardina makes Italian football history, scoring for Mazarese against Nissa after 3.81 seconds pic.twitter.com/6QSK6gjRwT
— James Dart (@James_Dart) February 13, 2023
After the match, Giardina talked about his goal during an interview. As per The Sun, Giardina said, “The idea to kick immediately came to me instantly, nothing prepared. I looked up, looked at the goalkeeper, and saw that he was on the penalty spot and that he was slightly distracted. So I asked my partner to move and not to touch the ball and immediately after the whistle I kicked directly.“
Giardina further revealed that he didn’t realize that he had broken the Italian record for the fastest goal until his friends told him. The 34-year-old said, “I still think I didn’t realize what I really did, also because I received a myriad of phone calls and I didn’t even have time to stop and think.” He also mentioned that he didn’t have a chance to talk with the opposition goalkeeper after the match.
Fans react to the fastest goal in Italian soccer history
Gioacchino Giardina’s unbelievable goal has sent soccer fans into a frenzy. Giardina’s goal has become the fastest goal to be ever scored in Italian soccer history. His goal has become viral on social media platforms, with fans flooding the Internet with their reactions and comments.
One fan wrote, “Someone watched too much of Shaolin Soccer,” while another fan said, “Great shot, but looks like the wind helped a lot. Guy standing by the ball is doing all he can to stop it rolling away.” Another used wrote, “I love how the defenders react, like ‘well shit’ “. Few fans even pointed out a rule infringement, saying “Goal shouldn’t have counted. The scoring team had multiple players in the opposition half before the ball was touched.“
Can you ever score too early?!
Has @Maryhill_FC‘s Gavin Stokes scored the fastest goal of all time?
(@clydebankfc)#bbcsportscot pic.twitter.com/GkWV67LfDc
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) April 12, 2017
As per reports, Giardina’s goal beats AC Milan star Rafael Leao’s effort, when Leao scored against Sassuolo within 6.2 seconds. Giardina also narrowly missed out on the world record for the fastest goal in soccer history. Late Maryhill FC star Gavin Stokes held this accolade after he scored against Clydebank after 2.1 seconds back in 2017.