Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has equaled Didier Drogba’s record to become Africa’s joint-highest goalscorer in the Champions League knockout stages.
The Reds’ number 10 scored their second goal in a 2-0 win over Villarreal at Anfield on Thursday night to move the Merseyside club closer to the May 28th final.
14 – Sadio Mané has tonight netted his 14th goal in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, equalling Didier Drobga’s record as the African with the most such goals in the competition’s history. Pride. pic.twitter.com/fwVTLoxqbf
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 27, 2022
The match got off to a slow start before a fully-packed Anfield, with few open chances at both ends, save for Thiago Alcantara’s effort that cannoned off the post.
It jolted to life though in a four-minute second-half period as the hosts scored two quick goals to take a rather comfortable lead going into the second leg next week.
First Jordan Henderson’s shot was deflected in, before Mane sealed the win two minutes later, poking home a Mohamed Salah through-ball.
The strike means Mane has now scored 14 goals in the tournament’s knockout stages, matching the iconic Ivorian’s record.
The African Player of the Year has a chance of eclipsing the Ivorian’s run when they play away to Villarreal next week in the reverse fixture.
