Declan Rice Makes World Cup History with a Record Goal
Just over two minutes had been played when Declan Rice had already written his name into the history books of the FIFA World Cup.
The England midfielder opened the scoring against France after just 2 minutes and 16 seconds in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place match. The goal not only gave the Three Lions an early lead, but also placed him among the fastest scorers ever in a World Cup third-place playoff.
According to statistics from MisterChip, Rice's strike is the third-fastest goal ever scored in a World Cup third-place match.
Only two players have found the net sooner.
An Exclusive List
The record still belongs to Turkish forward Hakan Şükür, who needed only 11 seconds to score against South Korea in the third-place match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
That goal also remains the fastest ever scored in the history of the FIFA World Cup.
Second on the list is Germany's Ernst Lehner, who found the net after 25 seconds against Austria in the third-place match at the 1934 FIFA World Cup in Italy.
Now, more than nine decades later, Declan Rice has joined that exclusive group thanks to his early strike against France.
A Reward for an Outstanding World Cup
The milestone also serves as recognition for the tournament Rice has enjoyed.
The Arsenal midfielder has once again been one of England's most consistent performers. His balance in midfield, ball-winning ability, and willingness to push forward have been fundamental in helping the Three Lions reach the World Cup semifinals for a second consecutive tournament.
Although much of the spotlight often falls on Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham, Rice's tireless work has once again made him an indispensable piece of Thomas Tuchel's system.
His long-range strike to open the scoring against France highlighted another quality he has developed throughout the past few seasons: delivering in the biggest moments.
A Dream Start
Third-place matches are often played with greater tactical freedom than a World Cup final.
Even so, goals scored so early remain extremely rare.
That is why Declan Rice's goal carries special significance.
Not only did it give England the lead against one of Europe's traditional powerhouses, but it also marked his first-ever World Cup goal.
It also earned him a place alongside Hakan Şükür and Ernst Lehner, two players whose remarkable records had stood almost untouched for generations.
In a tournament filled with football's biggest stars, Rice found his own way to leave a lasting mark.
And he did it almost immediately after the opening whistle.
