Sadio Mane has surpassed Didier Drogba’s record to become the highest goalscoring African in the Champions League knockout stages.
The Senegalese international was on target yesterday as Liverpool overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Villarreal 3-2 in Tuesday’s semi-final second leg clash at Estadio de la Ceramica.
With the Spanish outfit needing to erase their 2-0 first leg shortfall against the Reds, the Yellow Submarine took an early lead thanks to Boulaye Dia.
The first goal came after two minutes and 51 seconds, the earliest the Premier League side has conceded in the competition since April 2018 (after one minute and 57 seconds vs Manchester City).
Unai Emery’s men doubled their advantage four minutes before the half time as Francis Coquelin headed Etienne Capoue’s cross past goalkeeper Alisson.
Jurgen Klopp’s side launched a comeback in the second half. First, Fabinho pulled one back for the visitors two minutes after the hour mark thanks to Mohamed Salah’s assist.
Five minutes later, Trent Alexander-Arnold teed up Luis Diaz for the equaliser, before Mane completed the comeback triumph in the 74th minute.
The reigning African Player of the Year has now scored 15 goals in the tournament’s knockout stages to surpass the previous record of 14 goals set by the Chelsea legend.
Egyptian international Salah is third with 11 goals, while Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o occupies fourth place having garnered 10.
