Watch: Crystal Palace hitman bags record breaking goal in sensational performance

Crystal Palace’s marquee summer signing, Christian Benteke, got his national side, Belgium, off to a flyer against lowly Gibraltar on Monday night as he allayed any fears of an upset by scoring the fastest ever goal in competitive international football.

The former Liverpool and Aston Villa man, who joined Alan Pardew’s side for a minimum fee of around £27m in the summer window, bagged the opener after just 8.1 seconds, robbing the Gibraltar back four from the kick off before slotting past the ‘keeper to take the lead.

The goal was, according to UEFA, 0.2 seconds faster than the previous record of 8.3 seconds, scored by San Marino’s Davide Gualtieri in 1993, against, who else, England.

The Belgium international, who has scored three Premier League goals for The Eagles since his move from Anfield, went on to bag himself a hat-trick as the Red Devils strolled past the 205th ranked side with a 6-0 win.

The 25-year-old will be looking to carry that form back into his domestic game as he looks to revive his career in South London after a tough season on Merseyside.

Take a look at the record-breaking goal for yourself…