VIDEO: The fastest ever! Catastrophe for Italy as Albania break a record with lightning quick goal in Euro 2024 opener

The Signal Iduna Park was a sea of red and black as Albania's supporters, around 50,000, significantly outnumbered their Italian counterparts. And when Bajrami found the net just 23 seconds into the match, they jubilantly celebrated the moment that would go down in the annals of Euro history. Bajrami's goal shattered the previous record for the fastest goal in European Championship history, which was held by Dmitri Kirichenko of Russia. Kirichenko had scored after one minute and five seconds against Greece in Euro 2004. Bajrami's achievement not only broke this 20-year-old record but also marked Italy's earliest-ever goal conceded at a major tournament.

The record-breaking goal was the result of a misjudgment on Italy's part. Federico Dimarco had a throw-in on the left side and he intended to play it back towards Alessandro Bastoni. However, the throw was poorly executed, allowing Bajrami to intercept. Demonstrating remarkable composure and precision, Bajrami quickly seized the opportunity, striking the ball past Italy's goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and into the net. This swift action stunned both the Italian team and their fans, setting the tone for a dramatic encounter. The only other time Italy conceded a first-minute goal in such a tournament was during the 1978 World Cup when Bernard Lacombe scored for France after 31 seconds.

Italy quickly regained their composure and took just over a quarter of an hour to get their nose back in front riding on the two goals by Bastoni and Nicolo Barella. The Azzurri looked hardly troubled and could have led by a wider margin if they had taken their opportunities before heading towards the tunnel.