Golden Eaglets Samuel Chukwueze ‘s fastest goal so far in the Chile Under-17 World Cup has been adjudged the third fastest in the history of the tournament by FIFA.
The goal timed at 25 seconds was struck so quickly that many fans were still taking their seats.
It was the fastest goal of Chile 2015 to date, and the third fastest in the history of the U-17 event, behind the efforts by the Brazilian pair of Fabinho (nine seconds in 2007) and Celso (14 seconds in 2005).
Tuesday signalled the beginning of the second round of group-stage matches of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, from which Nigeria and Korea Republic emerged as the first qualifiers for the knockout stages.
USA and Croatia served up the day’s most entertaining encounter, a 2-2 draw that had fans on the edge of their seats but that left neither party satisfied in the cold light of day.
Although the Stars and Stripes, inspired by an excellent Christian Pulisic, who scored the first goal and then set up the second, appeared to have things wrapped up by half-time, the Croatians fought their way back into the match after the break. The Balkan side even had chances to snatch a winner, but instead struck the woodwork on several occasions.
In Group A’s other match, hosts Chile were no match for an impressive Nigeria, who struck twice in the early stages at the Estadio de Sausalito. The Africans then continued to press, eventually running out 5-1 winners versus a Chilean team that, despite tremendous support from the home crowd, struggled to compete with the defending champions.
In Group B, a flash of set-piece genius from Leandro sealed a 1-0 victory for Brazil and provided the South Americans with their first points of the tournament, versus an England XI that created worthwhile opportunities but lacked a killer instinct in front of goal.
Korea Republic, meanwhile, left it extremely late against a profligate Guinea, advancing to the Round of 16 courtesy of a stoppage-time strike from Oh Sehun.
Results
USA 2-2 Croatia (Group A)
England 0-1 Brazil (Group B)
Chile 1-5 Nigeria (Group A)
Korea Republic 1-0 Guinea (Group B)
Next matchday
Wednesday 21 October
Australia-Mexico (Group C)
Belgium-Honduras (Group D)
Argentina-Germany (Group C)
Ecuador-Mali (Group D)
*Condensed from FIFA.com