Dusan Vlahovic’s Champions League debut was akin to a fairy tale. The Estadio de la Ceramica expected a defensively astute Villarreal outfit to neutralize Juventus’ goalscoring threats at least for the majority of the opening half, but instead found themselves immediately stunned after kick-off by a certain 22-year-old, who is fast etching himself alongside the best in the business.
Esordio Champions da record per Vlahovic! Ecco il gol contro il Villarreal dalla DV7 CAM! ?#SportMediaset pic.twitter.com/Fdkus4CBKJ
— SportMediaset.it (@sportmediaset) February 22, 2022
The Serbian sensation drew first blood after just 33 seconds when he received a long ball from Danilo, after bringing it down with great composure and firing one across goal and into the far bottom corner. It has long been the ex-Fiorentina man’s dream to star in the greatest club competition in the world and it could not have arrived at a better moment.
2 – Dušan Vlahović (22 years, 25 days) is the second youngest player to score on their Champions League debut for Juventus after Alessandro Del Piero (20 years 308 days). Arrival. pic.twitter.com/XieQ5Anqbc
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 22, 2022
Although his half-a-minute mark opener is nowhere near the top five fastest goals scored in the tournament, he has set a new Champions League record for the fastest goal by a starting debutant. Remarkably, Vlahovic’s early strike is not the fastest debut goal.
Sevilla midfielder Yevgen Konoplyanka holds the honor of scoring the fastest goal after coming onto the pitch for his debut in the tournament in 2015. The Andalusians’ 2015/16 UCL group stage opener saw them beat Borussia Monchengladbach by a 3-0 scoreline, and it was now Villarreal coach Unai Emery who subbed him on in the 82nd minute. 15 seconds after his introduction, the winger belted in a curler to put his side three-up to make history that still stands strong.
Nevertheless, Vlahovic has made history at his new club by becoming the first player born this century to score a goal for the black and white jersey in the knockout phase of the tournament.
⚪️ Quickest ever goal from a starting Champions League debutant (33 seconds) ?
⚫️ First player born this century to score for Juventus in the Champions League knockout phase ?
Dušan Vlahović ?#UCL pic.twitter.com/GndSKerp2v
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 22, 2022
He now has the company of La Vecchia Signora greats Del Piero and David Trezeguet when it comes to UCL goalscoring debuts. The ex-Partizan Belgrade striker beats Andy Moller’s 37th second strike in Dortmund’s 3-1 home loss against Juventus back in September 1995. Incidentally, a 20-year-old Alessandro Del Piero made his UCL goalscoring debut that very match, with a 13th minute equalizer.
#OnThisDay in 1995, Alessandro Del Piero scored THIS on his #UCL debut ⚪️⚫️@juventusfc @delpieroale pic.twitter.com/F5AbAnhdqG
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 13, 2018
Juventus are already bearing fruit of his high-profile move. He also scored in his Serie A debut with the club, bagging the opener in his side’s 2-0 win over Hellas Verona. The Serbian marksman has not wasted anytime to appear in the spotlight, as he continues his impressive start to life in the Bianconeri shirt.
Look away, Fiorentina fans!