Sadio Mane breaks Drogba’s Champions League record

The Senegal international eclipsed the Ivorian icon after scoring in Liverpool’s comeback win at Villarreal.

Sadio Mane has surpassed Didier Drogba as Africa’s top goalscorer in the Champions League knockout stages.

The forward scored the match-winning goal on Tuesday as Liverpool sealed a 3-2 comeback win over Villarreal in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie and a spot in the final.

In doing so, Mane extended his fine run of form up to seven goals in nine games across all competitions and made a spot of African history.

🌍 Top African scorers in the knockout stages (UCL era only):

⚽️1⃣5⃣ Sadio Mané 🇸🇳
⚽️1⃣4⃣ Didier Drogba 🇨🇮
⚽️1⃣1⃣ Mohamed Salah 🇪🇬
⚽️1⃣0⃣ Samuel Eto'o 🇨🇲#UCL pic.twitter.com/M00AK4lUjM

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 3, 2022

Mane surpasses Drogba

Mane’s effort against Villarreal took his tally in the Champions League knockout stages to 15 goals, one more than Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Drogba’s 14 goals.

The reigning African Player of the Year, therefore, has become the highest scorer at this stage of the tournament from Africa.

Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah is third on UEFA’s list with 11 goals, while Barcelona and Inter Milan legend Samuel Eto’o is fourth with 10 goals.

Furthermore, since Mane’s debut appearance at this stage of the competition in 2017/18, only Karim Benzema has scored more knockout goals. The Real Madrid striker has 16 strikes to his name.

Fabinho and Luis Diaz were Liverpool’s other goalscorers on Tuesday to help the club reach the final for the third time in five years.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City for the final on May 28 in Paris.