{"id":1080239,"date":"2025-08-24T16:42:55","date_gmt":"2025-08-24T15:42:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1080239"},"modified":"2025-08-24T18:25:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T17:25:06","slug":"new-stadium-first-competitive-goal-scorers","status":"publish","type":"cult-corner","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/cult-corner\/new-stadium-first-competitive-goal-scorers\/","title":{"rendered":"Where are they now? The first competitive goalscorers at 10 of football&#8217;s newest stadiums"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stadiums are often remembered by the success teams enjoy within them, whether it be their home ground or a neutral venue.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Manchester United fans, Nou Camp will be forever in their memories. Both Liverpool and Chelsea will view Wembley as their second home, while Arsenal fondly remember their success during the Highbury days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everton fans will be in a similar situation as some Arsenal supporters in 2025-26. The Toffees men&#8217;s team have said goodbye to Goodison Park as they move into their new Hill Dickinson Stadium. And many Everton fans have been looking forward to that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One thing some people may forget about stadiums is the opening games. And who scored in them. Which is where Squawka come in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We&#8217;ve selected 10 of Europe&#8217;s biggest new stadiums over the past 20 years to look at the first scorers in competitive games. And, of course, what has happened to them since.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"article-page__title\">Dabble sign-up offer: <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>Not signed up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/dabble-sign-up-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dabble<\/a> yet? Here's how to claim the <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b> welcome offer:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Sign up to Dabble through this <a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">link<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Register your account with accurate personal details<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your first bet of \u00a310 or more<\/li>\r\n<li>Receive your \u00a310 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted<\/li>\r\n<li>Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1423518 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-320x267.png 320w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-240x200.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-72x60.png 72w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-150x125.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-40x33.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply.\u00a0<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"http:\/\/gambleaware.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"http:\/\/GambleAware.org\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">GambleAware.org<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-allianz-arena\">Allianz Arena<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24192125\/roy-makaay-bayern-1024x667.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1080303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24192125\/roy-makaay-bayern.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24192125\/roy-makaay-bayern-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24192125\/roy-makaay-bayern-768x500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24192125\/roy-makaay-bayern-66x43.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opened: <\/strong>2005<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First match: <\/strong>Bayern Munich 1-2 Stuttgart<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First goalscorer: <\/strong>Roy Makaay<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Allianz Arena opened in May 2005 and hosted various friendly games before its first competitive match in July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, Bayern Munich took on Stuttgart in the now-defunct German League Cup with Roy Makaay opening the scoring in a 2-1 defeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Dutch striker was midway through his time with Bayern, eventually leaving in 2007 to return to the Netherlands with Feyenoord. Makaay retired at the end of the 2009-10 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-emirates-stadium\">Emirates Stadium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"697\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191406\/melberg-aston-villa-1024x697.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1080289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191406\/melberg-aston-villa.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191406\/melberg-aston-villa-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191406\/melberg-aston-villa-768x523.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191406\/melberg-aston-villa-66x45.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opened: <\/strong>2006<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First match: <\/strong>Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First goalscorer: <\/strong>Olof Mellberg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arsenal&#8217;s shiny new Emirates Stadium was opened in 2006, ready to herald the club into a new era. It was officially opened with Dennis Bergkamp&#8217;s testimonial against Ajax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the Gunners didn&#8217;t get off to the best start in their first competitive game. They went behind to an Olof Mellberg goal against Aston Villa &#8212; though they would eventually equalise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mellberg was best known for his time at Villa but left England two years later to join Juventus &#8212; where he spent a season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mellberg then had spells at Olympiacos, Villarreal and FC Copenhagen before retiring in 2014. He has since turned to management, currently in charge of MLS club St Louis City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-wembley\">New Wembley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"636\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191238\/james-constable-1024x636.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1080288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191238\/james-constable.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191238\/james-constable-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191238\/james-constable-768x477.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191238\/james-constable-66x41.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opened: <\/strong>2007<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First match: <\/strong>Kidderminster Harriers 2-3 Stevenage Borough<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First goalscorer: <\/strong>James Constable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new Wembley Stadium officially opened with a 3-3 friendly game between England and Italy Under-21s. But it did not host a competitive game until the 2007 FA Trophy Final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There, James Constable opened the scoring for Kidderminster Harriers after 31 minutes, becoming the first player to score in a competitive game where the twin towers previously stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Constable would leave Kiddy in January 2008 for Shrewsbury Town, then of League Two. But he spent just six months at the club before returning to non-league with Oxford United on loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Making his move to Oxford permanent a year later, Constable spent five years with the club before joining Eastleigh in 2014. He spent another five years there, leaving for Hungerford and then Banbury, before retiring in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-juventus-stadium\">Juventus Stadium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"717\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191714\/lichtsteiner-juventus-goal-1024x717.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1080294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191714\/lichtsteiner-juventus-goal.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191714\/lichtsteiner-juventus-goal-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191714\/lichtsteiner-juventus-goal-768x538.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191714\/lichtsteiner-juventus-goal-66x46.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opened: <\/strong>2011<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First match: <\/strong>Juventus 4-1 Parma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First goalscorer: <\/strong>Stephan Lichtsteiner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Juventus opened their new stadium with a friendly against Notts County on 8th September 2011, given the old ties between the two clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the first competitive game came three days later as Juventus hosted Parma in Serie A. The home side won 4-1 with full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner opening the scoring after 16 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his first season at the club, Lichtsteiner would stay with Juventus until the summer of 2018 after winning eight Serie A titles, eventually joining Premier League side Arsenal on a free transfer. Lichtsteiner spent just one year in Arsenal before signing for Augsburg in Germany. He retired in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-london-stadium\">London Stadium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"695\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24192217\/kouyate-west-ham-1024x695.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1080304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24192217\/kouyate-west-ham.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24192217\/kouyate-west-ham-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24192217\/kouyate-west-ham-768x521.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24192217\/kouyate-west-ham-66x45.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opened: <\/strong>2016<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First match: <\/strong>West Ham United 3-0 NK Domzale<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First goalscorer: <\/strong>Cheikhou Kouyate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, obviously the London Stadium had competitive matches before it became West Ham United&#8217;s home. But we are looking at it under its current use, not as the Olympic Stadium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Hammers&#8217; opening game at the London Stadium was supposed to be their friendly against Juventus. But West Ham actually played competitive football at their new stadium before its official opening, thanks to the Europa League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, Cheikhou Kouyate gave them the lead after just eight minutes against Slovenian side NK Domzale as the Hammers overcame a 2-1 first-leg deficit to reach the play-offs for the Europa League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kouyate spent another year with West Ham before making the trip across London to join Crystal Palace. A third Premier League club came in for Kouyate in 2022 as he joined Nottingham Forest. But the midfielder has been without a club since leaving the City Ground in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-san-mames\">San Mames<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opened:<\/strong> 2013<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First match:<\/strong> Athletic Bilbao 3-2 Celta Vigo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First goalscorer:<\/strong> Charles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The San Mames Stadium is like Wembley. Its new name is exactly the same as its old one. But this was built next to the existing stadium, so there was no need for Athletic Bilbao to move away at any point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Athletic Bilbao played their first competitive game at the new stadium against Celta Vigo in the league, winning 3-2. But they had to come from behind to win the match, with Celta&#8217;s Charles scoring the opening goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Charles hadn&#8217;t long joined Celta and spent two years at the club before joining Malaga. The Brazilian continued to move around Spain with spells at Eibar and Pontevedra before retiring in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-parc-olympique-lyonnais\">Parc Olympique Lyonnais<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01160717\/Alexandrelacazette01082025_ID2F2NBE3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1393232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01160717\/Alexandrelacazette01082025_ID2F2NBE3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01160717\/Alexandrelacazette01082025_ID2F2NBE3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01160717\/Alexandrelacazette01082025_ID2F2NBE3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01160717\/Alexandrelacazette01082025_ID2F2NBE3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01160717\/Alexandrelacazette01082025_ID2F2NBE3-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01160717\/Alexandrelacazette01082025_ID2F2NBE3-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01160717\/Alexandrelacazette01082025_ID2F2NBE3-90x60.jpg 90w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01160717\/Alexandrelacazette01082025_ID2F2NBE3-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01160717\/Alexandrelacazette01082025_ID2F2NBE3-40x27.jpg 40w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opened: <\/strong>2016<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First match: <\/strong>Lyon 4-1 Troyes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First goalscorer: <\/strong>Alexandre Lacazette<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In case you couldn&#8217;t work it out, Parc Olympique Lyonnais is home to Olympique Lyonnais. Or Lyon, as most people know them. The stadium was opened at the start of 2016, with Lyon playing their first game against Troyes in Ligue 1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It took Lyon just 18 minutes to score their first goal at the stadium, and it&#8217;ll have been no surprise that Alexandre Lacazette was the one to get it. The Frenchman scored 23 goals in total in 2015-16, with this being his ninth of the campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lacazette spent one more season at Lyon in which he scored even more goals (37), earning a move to Arsenal. The Frenchman hit the ground running at Arsenal and spent five years with the club, scoring 71 goals in total. He returned to Lyon for two years and has recently moved to Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wanda-metropolitano\">Wanda Metropolitano<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191614\/antoine-griezmann-atletico-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1080291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191614\/antoine-griezmann-atletico.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191614\/antoine-griezmann-atletico-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191614\/antoine-griezmann-atletico-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/03\/24191614\/antoine-griezmann-atletico-66x44.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opened: <\/strong>2017<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First match: <\/strong>Atletico Madrid 1-0 Malaga<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First goalscorer: <\/strong>Antoine Griezmann<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After years of anticipation, the Wanda Metropolitano finally opened in 2017 and Atletico Madrid got off to the best possible start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A La Liga match against Malaga was the opener, attended by the King of Spain, with Antoine Griezmann scoring the only goal. After what felt like years of Griezmann being linked with a move away, the Frenchman finally did leave Atleti in 2019 for Barcelona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But his time at Barcelona was unsuccessful and Griezmann returned to Atletico in 2023. He remains at the club and could retire at the Metropolitano, now 34.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tottenham-hotspur-stadium\">Tottenham Hotspur Stadium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-1024x712.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1393235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-1024x712.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-768x534.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-1536x1068.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-2048x1424.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-384x267.jpg 384w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-288x200.jpg 288w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-86x60.jpg 86w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-150x104.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2019\/03\/01161717\/JNeilbennet01082025_ID2GHDHBR-40x28.jpg 40w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opened: <\/strong>2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First match: <\/strong>Tottenham U18s 3-1 Southampton U18s<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First goalscorer: <\/strong>J&#8217;Neil Bennett<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now this is an interesting one. The first competitive game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was an under-18s game. Tottenham&#8217;s U18s took out Southampton U18s in the U18s Premier League, to gear the stadium up for its senior Premier League debut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tottenham U18s won the game 3-1, with J&#8217;Neil Bennett opening the scoring after just 11 minutes. Bennett came through the academy at Tottenham but left the club in 2022, after a brief loan at Crewe Alexandra. He also spent half a season with Brentford&#8217;s B team but has been without a club for a while now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hill-dickinson-stadium\">Hill Dickinson Stadium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"610\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-1024x610.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1396170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-1024x610.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-768x458.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-1536x916.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-2048x1221.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-400x238.jpg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-336x200.jpg 336w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-101x60.jpg 101w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-150x89.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/24170015\/Ilimanndiaye24082025_ID3CFPT4F-40x24.jpg 40w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opened: <\/strong>2025<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First match: <\/strong>Everton 2-0 Brighton and Hove Albion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First goalscorer: <\/strong>Iliman Ndiaye<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everton started the new Premier League season with an underwhelming away loss at Leeds. But they managed to turn it up for their home opener with a solid 2-0 win over Brighton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iliman Ndiaye scored Hill Dickinson Stadium&#8217;s first ever official goal in the 23rd minute, having also scored Goodison Park&#8217;s final official goal.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stadiums are often remembered by the success teams enjoy within them, whether it be their home ground or a neutral venue. For Manchester United fans, Nou Camp will be forever in their memories. Both Liverpool and Chelsea will view Wembley as their second home, while Arsenal fondly remember their success during the Highbury days. Everton&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3354,"featured_media":1393237,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"The first competitive goalscorers at 10 of football's newest stadiums","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"These 10 players wrote their names into the history books by scoring the first competitive goal at some of football's newest stadiums. 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