Well, that didn’t take long. Awarded a penalty in the opening 25 seconds, a Mo Salah PK gave Liverpool an early 1-0 lead over Tottenham in the second minute of the Champions League final on Saturday in Madrid.
After a disaster-filled Champions League final against Real Madrid a year ago, the Reds had a dream start when Moussa Sissoko’s raised arm caught a cross from Sadio Mané. Center ref Damir Skomina of Slovenia immediately pointed to the spot and the call was confirmed by the VAR.
A PENALTY CALL 23 SECONDS IN pic.twitter.com/4gAaYBhPFG
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) June 1, 2019
Salah took a long, fast run up to the ball before smashing it past Hugo Lloris in goal. Lloris dove past the ball, unable to react to the pace with which it was struck.
Liverpool 1-0. Minute 2. Mo Salah pic.twitter.com/G45zZCFWvR
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) June 1, 2019
¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 1, 2019
Last year, Salah went off injured in the Champions League final, a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid. This time the Egyptian winger made his mark before anyone could even get close to touching him, let alone injure him.
The Mo Salah PK wasn’t the fastest goal in Champions League final history, but it was close. The fastest goal in a UCL final was scored by Paolo Maldini of AC Milan in 2005 after 52 seconds.
Of course, as Liverpool fans will remember, that goal wasn’t enough to help the Italians lift the trophy as Liverpool stormed back from a 3-0 deficit to win on penalty kicks.
Will the Mo Salah PK result in a similar Spurs comeback? After what we saw in the semifinals, you can’t rule anything out.
The18 Recommends For You
