The Champions League is the most-watched football event in the entire year for a very good reason. Shakhtar Donetsk managed to beat the 13-time Champions League winners Real Madrid at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium with the scoreline reading 2-3 in favour of the visitors.
Madrid were 3-0 down at half time, with goals from Tete and Manor Solomon along with a Raphael Varane own goal.
Luka Jovic gave way in the 59th minute for Vinicius Jr to make an impact, and that is exactly what he did.
Running up to take his position on the field, the Brazilian caught Shakhtar captain Marlos being absent-minded in possession right outside the penalty box.
The newly introduced player went on to beat the keeper and make it 2-3, giving Madrid a fighting chance with 30 minutes left on the clock.
Vinicius scored with his second touch of the ball, and it only took him 15 seconds to get onto the scoresheet.
This is a brand-new record for the Champions League, as Vinicius has set the record for the fastest goal scored in the Champions League by a substitute since Opta started managing stats in the 2006-07 season.
15 – Vinícius Jr scored just 15 seconds after entering the pitch for Real Madrid; since Opta have full data for Champions League goal times (2006-07), this is the fastest goal scored by a substitute. Lightning. pic.twitter.com/blSZFmFCi5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 21, 2020
The newly made record puts Vinicius in the conversation for some of the best super subs in the game, players who didn’t always make it to the starting line-up but knew how to make a difference from the bench.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Olivier Giroud and Henrik Larsson are some of the most influential super subs and have repeatedly managed to make their mark on the pitch from the bench.
Zidane is spoilt for options on the wings, with the likes of Marco Asensio, Rodrygo and Eden Hazard competing for a starting berth on the flanks. His influence from the bench and his consistent attacking plays ever since he came on are a great claim for a place in the starting 11.
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