FIFA U-20 World Cup

Sagna: It’s a real pleasure to have the fastest goal

Amadou Sagna of Senegal celebrates — © Getty Images

Amadou Sagna scored the fastest goal in U-20 World Cup history
The Senegalese completed a paradisiacal night with a hat-trick
Sagna expresses his euphoria and discusses next challenge Colombia

The referee raised his arm to signal the start of play in Lublin, while the excited fans present in the stadium cheered as the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 got underway. Senegal had initial possession of the ball, while the Tahiti players were clearly intent on making a solid start to the match.

Straight from kick-off, Les Lions de la Teranga attempted a routine lofted ball down the middle, which was then nodded down by Ibrahima Niane into the path of Amadou Sagna, who was lurking on the right-hand corner of the box.

What followed was the fastest goal in the history of the U-20 World Cup. Sagna controlled the ball brilliantly with his right foot, burst past two Tahitian defenders, and calmly slotted it past a helpless Moana Pito with his left to give Senegal an unexpectedly-early lead and send their supporters into raptures. The time of the goal was recorded as ten seconds, four fewer than the previous record, established by Nigeria’s Monday Odiaka back in 1985.

“It’s a real pleasure to have scored the fastest goal and broken the record,” Sagna, visibly still on cloud nine and smiling broadly, told FIFA.com after the match.

Hat-trick heaven

But there were more celebrations to come for the 19-year-old. Roughly 30 minutes later, he met a precise cross from the left to send the ball flying into the back of the net, despite Pito’s best efforts, and in the 59th minute, he completed his hat-trick with another smart finish.

“Scoring a hat-trick is also pretty special,” he said. “But I can’t take all the credit, because we worked so well as a team. Everyone who played tonight deserved the win.”

However, Sagna made it clear that he realises this is just the start of a process that he and his team-mates hope will last until 15 June, the day of the final, and that although it was a highly memorable evening for him personally, the team’s thoughts should now turn to Senegal’s next two opponents, starting with Colombia on Sunday.

“We’re really happy with this result, because it’s a reward for our great preparation," he said. "Now we simply have to continue in the same vein and focus on our next two games. I’m just so happy.”

Amadou Sagna of Senegal celebrates scoring

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Amadou Sagna of Senegal celebrates scoring their second goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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The Senegal Team inspect the pitch ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match vs Tahiti

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: The Senegal Team inspect the pitch ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Terai Bremond of Tahiti is tackled by Cavin Diagne of Senegal

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Terai Bremond of Tahiti is tackled by Cavin Diagne of Senegal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Kavaiei Morgant of Tahiti is tackled by Amadou Ciss of Senegal

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Kavaiei Morgant of Tahiti is tackled by Amadou Ciss of Senegal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Tahiti Head Coach Bruno Tehaamoana instructs his team

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Tahiti Head Coach Bruno Tehaamoana instructs his team during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Amadou Sagna of Senegal tackles Samuel Liparo of Tahiti

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Amadou Sagna of Senegal tackles Samuel Liparo of Tahiti during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Amadou Sagna of Senegal celebrates with teammates after scoring a hatrick

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Amadou Sagna of Senegal celebrates with teammates after scoring a hatrick during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Amadou Sagna of Senegal celebrates scoring

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Amadou Sagna of Senegal celebrates scoring their second goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Eddy Kaspard of Tahiti along with team mates look dejected

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Eddy Kaspard of Tahiti along with team mates look dejected during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Amadou Ciss of Senegal beats Mauri Heitaa of Tahiti

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Amadou Ciss of Senegal beats Mauri Heitaa of Tahiti during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Moana Pito of Tahiti looks on

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Moana Pito of Tahiti looks on during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Amadou Sagna of Senegal beats Samuel Liparo of Tahiti

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: Amadou Sagna of Senegal beats Samuel Liparo of Tahiti during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
The players of Tahiti and Senegal walk out for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: The players of Tahiti and Senegal walk out for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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A team member hangs out player shirts in the Tahiti dressing room

23 May 2019

LUBLIN, POLAND - MAY 23: A team member hangs out player shirts in the Tahiti dressing room prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group A match between Tahiti and Senegal at Arena Lublin on May 23, 2019 in Lublin, Poland. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images