Is this football’s worst EVER kick-off? Europa League team ruin their chance of winning just seven seconds after game restarted

FC Midtjylland’s goalkeeper suffered a monumental moment of embarrassment after one of the worst kick-off routines ever saw the opposition team double their lead just seven seconds into the second-half.

The Danish side have endured a mixed Europa League campaign so far – sitting 13th in the overall standings – but had a golden chance to put themselves in a strong position for knockout qualification on Thursday evening.

A clash against Romanian side FCSB was well-contested with Florian Tanase giving the hosts a first-half lead over Midtjylland before the visitors shot themselves in the foot during a disastrous moment after half-time.

Midtjylland boss Thomas Thomasberg had just given a rousing team talk during the interval as his side attempted to navigate a way back to level terms only for his team to concede seconds later.

Getting the match restarted, the ball was immediately played back to goalkeeper Elias Rafn Olafsson who dawdled in possession as FCSB players pressed intensely.

FC Midtjylland’s goalkeeper Elias Rafn Olafsson (left) rued a huge error in Thursday’s Europa League clash against FCSB

FCSB’s Daniel Birligea (left) scored an easy tap-in just six seconds after the second-half got underway

Olafsson was left stranded in the middle of his half after receiving the ball from kick-off

The shot-stopper had come out of his box to receive the ball from kick-off and was stranded in the middle of his own half as Midtjylland’s outfield players burst forward waiting for a long ball.

However, disaster struck when Olafsson took too long on the ball and watched in horror as his clearance attempt struck FCSB striker Daniel Birligea, spiralled into the air and bounced back towards goal.

Midtjylland players desperately sprinted back to try and stop the ball from dropping into the goal but were helpless in their efforts as Birligea beat Olafsson in a foot-race and scored an incredibly easy tap-in.

FCSB players celebrated emphatically inside the goal after doubling their lead against Midtjylland

FCSB players couldn’t believe their luck as they celebrated emphatically forming a mob inside the goal as Midtjylland rued a cataclysmic error that ultimately condemned them to a 2-0 defeat.

Supporters and technical staff inside the National Arena were similarly stunned by the bizarre goal that has since gone viral on social media with fans shocked by the goalkeeper’s error.

‘A nightmare start’ said one viewer on X who was left aghast by the mistake that has left Midtjylland’s Europa League qualificiation hopes in doubt.

The Danish side currently have seven points from four Europa League matches and face a huge contest against Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in the next round of fixtures.