Madagascar Goalkeeper Conceded A Penalty After FOUR Seconds Against Tanzania

A goalkeeper may just have broken the record for the quickest penalty conceded in football history after starting a World Cup qualifier in chaotic fashion.

Melvin Adrien of Madagascar gave away a spot-kick just FOUR seconds into the game against Tanzania on Tuesday.

Straight from kick-off, the visitors launched the ball up the field and it was missed by a Madagascar defender who tried to clear.

That misjudgement meant Adrien, who plays for FC Martigues in the lower echelons of French football, came rushing out like a madman as Simon Msuva ran through.

Msuva knocked the ball past him and Adrien collided with the forward, knocking him to the turf.

With no hesitation, the referee, having only just blowed his whistle to signal the start of the game, immediately pointed to the spot for a very easily awarded penalty.

Erasto Edward Nyoni stepped up and coolly converted to put Tanzania ahead. Their lead was doubled in the 26th minute when Novatus Dismas Miroshi added a second and it looked like the away side were on their way to a comfortable win.

However, Madagascar came back and late first-half goals from Njiva Rakotomarimalala and Thomas Fontaine ensured the scores were all level when the half-time whistle was blown.

They were unable to build on that, though, as Feisal Salum Abdallah struck mere minutes into the second half to put Tanzania back in the lead.

The Taifa Stars are now top of Group J, taking four points from their first two games. They are head of second-placed Benin on goals scored after finding the net four times.

Madagascar sit rock bottom having failed to get any points on the board and it looks like they will be smiling and waving from home when the World Cup in Qatar is on in December 2022.

Although it's not one he'll be proud of, it does appear as though Adrien has broken a record for the fastest penalty conceded.

The closest contender we've come across is six seconds when Witton Albion's Tolani Omotola was fouled by Blaine Hudson of Chester FC inside the penalty area during an FA Trophy clash.

As expected, that too was a chaotic start to proceedings.

Featured Image Credit: Image: Twitter

Topics: Football World Cup

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@joshlawless_