Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer endured a difficult afternoon on Saturday as his costly mistake gifted Augsburg the fastest goal in Bundesliga history during their 2-2 draw at the WWK Arena.

Augsburg midfielder Robin Fellhauer capitalised on Neuer’s error just 8.4 seconds after kick-off, breaking the previous Bundesliga record of nine seconds. Despite the early setback and another goalkeeping incident in the second half, Bayern recovered twice to avoid defeat.

The record-breaking moment came when Harry Kane played the ball backwards from the kick-off towards Neuer. The experienced goalkeeper struggled to control the pass and attempted to lift the ball over the onrushing Fellhauer. However, the Augsburg midfielder intercepted the clearance and calmly rolled the ball into the unguarded net.

The goal surpassed the previous record jointly held by Karim Bellarabi and Kevin Volland. Bellarabi scored after nine seconds for Bayer Leverkusen against Borussia Dortmund in 2014, while Volland matched that time for Hoffenheim against Bayern Munich in 2015.

Neuer’s mistake immediately put Bayern under pressure, but Vincent Kompany’s side gradually settled into the contest and created several opportunities to equalise.

The visitors eventually drew level in the 55th minute when Ismael Saibari finished after receiving a pass from Kane, restoring hope for the defending champions.

However, Bayern’s relief was short-lived. Nine minutes later, Neuer parried a shot from Calvin Brackelmann, but Rodrigo Ribeiro reacted quickly to collect the rebound and put Augsburg back in front in the 64th minute.

Bayern continued to attack in search of another equaliser, with Kane again playing a decisive role. The England captain supplied Nathaniel Brown, who found the net in the 80th minute to make it 2-2.

The visitors pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but Augsburg held firm. Bayern also had four goals ruled out for offside during the encounter, further adding to their frustration.

The draw prevented Bayern from taking advantage of Borussia Dortmund’s 2-2 result against Werder Bremen on Friday. Dortmund remained top of the Bundesliga table with 13 points, while Bayern moved to 11 points after five matches.

Although the result kept Bayern within reach of the leaders, Neuer’s two costly moments will attract attention, particularly given his age and the questions surrounding the club’s long-term goalkeeping plans.

The 40-year-old has enjoyed a distinguished career, winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany and multiple major honours with Bayern, including the UEFA Champions League titles in 2013 and 2020. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential goalkeepers of his generation.

Bayern also have Jonas Urbig as a potential long-term successor. The younger goalkeeper joined the club in 2025 and has been part of the squad supporting Neuer.

However, the Augsburg match alone does not determine Neuer’s future. Any decision about retirement or a change in Bayern’s goalkeeping hierarchy will depend on the club’s plans and the veteran’s own intentions.

For Augsburg, Fellhauer’s record-breaking strike provided an unforgettable start, even though the hosts ultimately had to settle for a draw. For Bayern, the match was a reminder that individual errors can prove costly, even for an experienced side with the attacking quality to recover.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia