India, Aug. 16 -- Riccardo Calafiori wrote his name into Community Shield history on Sunday after firing Arsenal ahead against Manchester City just 24 seconds into the 2026 curtain-raiser at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Arsenal kicked off and almost immediately stunned City, with Calafiori finding the net before the game had completed half a minute. The broadcast clocked the Italian defender's strike at 24 seconds.

The extraordinary start means Calafiori's goal is believed to be the fastest scored in the 118-year history of the FA Charity Shield and Community Shield. The competition was first staged in 1908 as the FA Charity Shield before being renamed the FA Community Shield in 2002. One of the most famous previous lightning sta...