Five-Second Penalty In World Cup Qualifying Is Almost Certainly A New Record

DAR-ES-SALAAM - Tanzania were awarded one of the fastest penalties in international football after five seconds of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Madagascar.

Ugandan referee Mashood Ssali pointed to the spot when a long ball from kickoff was chased by Tanzania’s Simon Mvusa, who was clumsily clattered into by Malagasy goalkeeper Melvin Adrien, who plays club football in France’s fourth division.

Tanzania v Madagascar
Engagement - 6 seconds - penalty pic.twitter.com/yd3qN427FN

— Thibaut Melin (@Thibb15) September 7, 2021

Captain Erasto Nyoni converted the kick and Tanzania went on to win 3-2 and move to the top of the African Group J standings.

There are no official records for the fastest penalty but in a friendly international against Ghana in Podgorica in 2014, Montenegro were given a spot kick after 10 seconds which was converted for the only goal of the match.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ken Ferris)