Davide Gualtieri

Davide Gualtieri

Personal information
Full name	Davide Gualtieri
Date of birth	April 27, 1971 (1971-04-27)
Place of birth	San Marino, San Marino
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Striker
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1998–2000	Pennarossa	4	(3)
2000–2009	Tre Penne	168	(50)
National team
1993–1999	San Marino	9	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Davide Gualtieri (born 27 April 1971 in San Marino) is a retired Sammarinese footballer.

He is most well-remembered for scoring the fastest ever goal in FIFA World Cup qualification history. He achieved the record in a qualifier that took place on 17 November 1993. The opposition was England.

In the match, which took place in Bologna, Italy, San Marino had the kick-off, and the ball was quickly played through the inside-right channel. England defender Stuart Pearce attempted a back-pass to goalkeeper David Seaman. Pearce's pass was under-hit, and Gualtieri ran on to touch the ball past Seaman. The goal was timed at 8.3 seconds, and still remains the quickest World Cup-related goal ever scored. England took over 20 minutes to equalise, but eventually finished up winning the match 7–1. Both England and San Marino failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. England needed to win by a seven goal margin and for Poland to do them a favour against the Netherlands. As neither happened, England finished third.

The England manager, Graham Taylor resigned shortly after the game took place, and this was to be his last game in charge. Gualtieri continued to play for the San Marino national team until 2000, when he retired due to injury. He now works as a computer salesman in San Marino.