Arsenal’s Calafiori scores fastest Community Shield goal in 118 years

Riccardo Calafiori scored the fastest goal in the 118-year history of the FA Community Shield, putting Arsenal 1-0 up against Manchester City after just 24 seconds (Hindustan Times reports 24 seconds, Times of India says 23 seconds) at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday. The Italian defender received a reverse pass from Myles Lewis-Skelly and finished past Gianluigi Donnarumma to break the previous record of 75 seconds set by Liverpool's Gary McAllister in 2001.

Arsenal, who qualified as Premier League champions after ending a 22-year title drought in 2025-26, doubled their lead before half-time through Kai Havertz, with new signing Christos Tzolis providing the assist. Martin Odegaard added a third in the second half. The match marked Enzo Maresca's first competitive fixture in charge of Manchester City after succeeding Pep Guardiola. The Community Shield returned to Cardiff for the first time since 2006.

The Gunners' new-look side included summer signings Bruno Guimaraes and Tzolis in the starting XI, while Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice began on the bench. City started Elliot Anderson in midfield and Erling Haaland up front. The fastest previous Community Shield goal at the Cardiff venue was McAllister's 75-second penalty for Liverpool in 2001.