Arda Güler scored a historic goal for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the 2026 Champions League quarter-final at the Allianz Arena.
The first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu had ended in a 2-1 victory for the Bavarian giants, meaning Real Madrid needed a comeback in the return leg in southern Germany to advance to the semi-finals and face Paris Saint-Germain.
What’s the fastest goal in Real Madrid’s Champions League history?
Güler’s goal against Bayern Munich became the fastest goal in Real Madrid Champions League history, scored just 35 seconds after kickoff.
Güler capitalized on a rare error by Manuel Neuer, the legendary German and Bayern Munich goalkeeper, who inexplicably passed the ball while out of position. The Real Madrid star pounced on the mistake, slotting the ball into the empty net with a first-time shot.
The Turkish international broke the record previously held by Gareth Bale, who scored against Legia Warsaw in November 2016 after just 57 seconds in a 3-3 draw under Zinedine Zidane.
😮😮😮 في أقل من دقيقة… غولير يسجل الهدف الأول لريال مدريد مستغلاً خطأ كارثياً من نوير#دوري_أبطال_أوروبا pic.twitter.com/fX4qKQWASO
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 15, 2026
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What is the fastest goal in Champions League history?
Although Güler’s goal came very early, it is still far from the top five fastest goals in the long history of the Champions League.
Roy Makaay’s goal for Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in the 2006-07 Round of 16 is the fastest goal in the competition’s history, scored by the Dutchman just 10.12 seconds after kickoff.
After Makaay’s goal, Jonas’s goal for Valencia against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2011-12 group stage is the second fastest goal in Champions League history, scored in 10.96 seconds.
The third fastest goal came via Gilberto Silva for Arsenal against PSV Eindhoven at 20.07 seconds in a group stage match in the 2002-2003 season, followed by Alessandro Del Piero’s goal for Juventus against Manchester United in the 1997-1998 group stage at 20.12 seconds.
