Giampaolo Pazzini drives home Italy's first after just 29 seconds.
By David Barber. Monday, 26 March 2007.
The first goal at an official match at the new Wembley was scored by Italian U21 striker Giampaolo Pazzini after just 29 seconds on Saturday.
The first match at the old Wembley, the 1923 FA Cup Final between Bolton and West Ham, also had a very early goal.
After PC George Scorey on his white horse "Billy" had famously helped to clear the Wembley pitch of spectators, the Final eventually started 40 minutes late. David Jack, destined to become the first £10,000 player, hammered Bolton into the lead after just two minutes.
His shot was hit with such force that it flew past West Ham 'keeper Ted Hufton and knocked over a fan standing right behind him. He in turn brought down several other fans standing beside him.
As the goal was scored, Hammers wing-half Jack Tresadern was stuck in the crowd after a throw-in and was still trying to get back onto the pitch.
Fiorentina's Pazzini also went to score the new Wembley's first hat-trick on Saturday. But his early strike didn't beat the old Wembley's fastest.
Maurice Cox, playing for Cambridge against Oxford in the 1979 Varsity Match, put Cambridge ahead after 20 seconds. Bryan Robson's goal for England after 38 seconds of England's 1989 friendly with Yugoslavia was the fastest in a first-class match.