Conor Gallagher creates Champions League history just moments into Real Madrid clash
Conor Gallagher scored the fastest ever Champions League goal by an Englishman to give Atletico Madrid a dream start against Real Madrid. But it unfortunately failed to matter as Los Blancos advanced into the quarter-finals after winning on penalties. Gallagher fired Atletico ahead against Real inside the opening minuteAFP It’s his first goal in Europe – with his strike seeing him create historyAFP Diego Simeone‘s men trailed 2-1 heading into the last-16 second leg tie against their city rivals at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night. Real edged out the first leg at the Bernabeu last week thanks to goals from Rodrygo and Braham Diaz either side of Julian Alvarez’s equaliser. But with just 27 seconds on the clock in the return fixture, Gallagher fired the hosts ahead from close range. The ex-Chelsea man capitalised on a loose ball to poke past Thibaut Courtois to spark wild celebrations. It’s the quickest goal ever scored by an Englishman in Europe’s premier competition. And incredibly, it’s the 25-year-old’s first ever goal in Europe. In another record Gallagher has set, his strike is the quickest Champions League goal in Atletico’s history. But the England international’s goal was no match for Roy Makaay’s record rapid strike for Bayern Munich in March 2007. That goal coincidentally was also against Real in a last-16 second leg – with Makaay finding the back of the net in 10.12 seconds. But unlike Atletico, the Bavarian outfit – who also lost the first leg to Real – managed to advance into the quarter-finals. Gallagher wheeled away in delight after getting Atletico back on level terms in the tieGetty Gallagher’s goal proved to be the only strike of the night, but they came up short in penalties – losing 4-2 in the shootout. Despite his hurt of the result, Gallagher has enjoyed a fine opening season in Spain so far since joining from the Blues last summer for £36million. In what was his 36th outing for Atletico, he now has chipped in with three goals and four assists in all competitions. Prior to the second leg against Real, Gallagher hadn’t been on the score sheet since September 22. But it’s his workrate and relentless energy that is what Simeone is seeking. And that was certainly evident by the Argentine’s reaction to the midfielder’s last-ditch tackle in the 1-0 over Athletic Bilbao earlier this month.
Conor Gallagher scored the fastest ever Champions League goal by an Englishman to give Atletico Madrid a dream start against Real Madrid.
But it unfortunately failed to matter as Los Blancos advanced into the quarter-finals after winning on penalties.
Diego Simeone‘s men trailed 2-1 heading into the last-16 second leg tie against their city rivals at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.
Real edged out the first leg at the Bernabeu last week thanks to goals from Rodrygo and Braham Diaz either side of Julian Alvarez’s equaliser.
But with just 27 seconds on the clock in the return fixture, Gallagher fired the hosts ahead from close range.
The ex-Chelsea man capitalised on a loose ball to poke past Thibaut Courtois to spark wild celebrations.
It’s the quickest goal ever scored by an Englishman in Europe’s premier competition.
And incredibly, it’s the 25-year-old’s first ever goal in Europe.
In another record Gallagher has set, his strike is the quickest Champions League goal in Atletico’s history.
But the England international’s goal was no match for Roy Makaay’s record rapid strike for Bayern Munich in March 2007.
That goal coincidentally was also against Real in a last-16 second leg – with Makaay finding the back of the net in 10.12 seconds.
But unlike Atletico, the Bavarian outfit – who also lost the first leg to Real – managed to advance into the quarter-finals.
Gallagher’s goal proved to be the only strike of the night, but they came up short in penalties – losing 4-2 in the shootout.
Despite his hurt of the result, Gallagher has enjoyed a fine opening season in Spain so far since joining from the Blues last summer for £36million.
In what was his 36th outing for Atletico, he now has chipped in with three goals and four assists in all competitions.
Prior to the second leg against Real, Gallagher hadn’t been on the score sheet since September 22.
But it’s his workrate and relentless energy that is what Simeone is seeking.
And that was certainly evident by the Argentine’s reaction to the midfielder’s last-ditch tackle in the 1-0 over Athletic Bilbao earlier this month.
