Football legend Brian Clough famously said it only takes a second to score a goal. A player from Russia's lower leagues has proved that it actually takes 2.68 seconds.

Unknown Russian midfielder Michail Osinov, 35, could have an incredible claim to fame with a wonder-strike which is being labelled the fastest goal of all time.

Osinov plays for FC MITOS Novocherkassk in the Russian Second Division South, a regional league below the top two competitions in Russia.

His 51-yard effort against Olimpia Gelendzhik could be set for the record books.

In 2009, Nawaf Al Abed scored in two seconds v Al Shoalah but the game was cancelled due to ineligible players. Therefore, the previous recognised fastest goal, until Osinov's strike, was widely considered to be Fred's effort for Atletico Mineiro, timed at 3.17 seconds.

smh.com.au