Christoph Baumgartner found the net just six seconds into the match, marking the fastest goal ever scored in international football, as Austria secured victory over Slovakia in Bratislava.
The 24-year-old midfielder swiftly maneuvered past three challenges right from the kick-off and unleashed a low shot past home goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
His lightning-fast effort clocked in at just six seconds, surpassing Lukas Podolski’s previous record set for Germany against Ecuador in 2013.
Ralf Rangnick’s side sealed victory with Andreas Weimann’s late goal.
Baumgartner’s remarkable feat was nearly matched later that evening when Florian Wirtz put Germany ahead against France with a 25-yard strike that seemed to deflect off Dayot Upamecano before hitting the underside of the crossbar.
Austria, who will host Turkey in Vienna on Tuesday, have now secured four consecutive wins as they prepare for this summer’s Euros in Germany.
In the Slovakian capital, RB Leipzig’s Baumgartner left the home fans in utter disbelief as he celebrated with his teammates after his lightning-quick goal.
His achievement eclipsed Davide Gualtieri’s goal for San Marino against England in 1993, scored eight seconds into a World Cup qualifier, and Christian Benteke’s goal for Belgium against Gibraltar in 2017.
The fastest goal recorded in the Premier League was by Shane Long for Southampton, 7.69 seconds into their clash with Watford in 2019.
Roy Makaay holds the Champions League record, netting for Bayern Munich 10.12 seconds into the second leg of their last-16 tie against Real Madrid in March.
In February, Ryan Hall of Croydon FC scored a remarkable goal straight from kick-off against Cockfosters in the London Senior Trophy, timed at 2.31 seconds by the non-league side.
However, Guinness World Records has not confirmed it as an official record for the fastest goal from kick-off as they do not monitor goals outside of professional football.