Christoph Baumgartner struck very early on for Austria. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United fans could be forgiven for wondering what might have been after Austria's 2-0 win in Slovakia on Saturday night. The game got off to the most explosive of starts, with midfielder Christoph Baumgartner scoring after just six seconds.
The RB Leipzig man picked up the ball from kick-off and instantly charged forward, beating three players. From 25 yards out, Baumgartner then unleashed a powerful left-foot shot that flew past home keeper Martin Dubravka and into the bottom corner.
The 24-year-old was then mobbed by his teammates as he sped away in celebration at the Tehelne Pole Stadium. The goal is reportedly a new record as the quickest-ever strike in international football.
Substitute Andreas Weimann sealed the win eight minutes from time, continuing Austria's strong build-up to Euro 2024. And afterwards, Baumgartner explained his strike was a pre-planned routine: “We’ve done this variation before, sprinting away at full risk from the kick-off. Somehow the sequence of steps worked out so that I got the run,” he said.
Austria score in 6 SECONDS! ??????????????????
Christoph Baumgartner takes on the entire Slovakian team by himself, evading several challenges and scores ?????? pic.twitter.com/m7G4bKISU1
The ex-Hoffenheim player joined the Bundesliga club last year, but he could have been plying his trade in Manchester had the Premier League club followed up their interest in January 2021. United were reportedly the frontrunners amid interest from a host of European clubs, with a fee of £16million touted.
Then Hoffenheim sporting director Alexander Rosen had previously talked up his young player, saying: "Baumi is an extremely talented player with strong technical skills and a good sense for space in attack. As a result, he always develops solutions in tight game situations and is also dangerous around goal."
At the time it was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in charge of the Red Devils, but a move for Baumgartner never materialised. He instead remained at the club for two further years, before joining Leipzig on a five-year deal.
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
And he's been pivotal to hsi new side this season, playing 32 times in all competitions, scoring three times. Saturday's wonder strike signified his 12th goal for his national side and helped Austria to a fourth straight win.
The goal beat the nine-second mark set by Lukas Podolski for Germany against Ecuador in 2013 but remarkably, it wasn't the only international goal on Saturday to fall inside that time frame. Another game involving the Germans, their 2-0 win in France, with Florian Wirtz scoring after seven seconds in Lyon.
