Sadio Mane Equals Frank Lampard’s Record With Strike Against Villareal

• Liverpool forward Sadio Mane scored as they overcame the resilience of Villarreal to record a 3-2 win in the UEFA Champions League second leg tie
• Sadio Mane's goal was his 15th in the Champions League knockout stages, the most by any African player in the prestigious competition
• The Senegal international moves level with Chelsea legend Frank Lampard and one ahead of another Chelsea icon Didier Drogba

Sadio Mane was on the scoresheet once again against Villareal on Tuesday night to equal Frank Lampard for most goals in the Champions League knockout stages.

Liverpool came back from two goals down from half time to thump the Spanish side 3-2 at the Estadio de la Ceramica to book their place in the final on 5-2 aggregate.

Mane’s strike in the 74th minute was his 15th goal in the knockout stages of the competition.

And that goal saw him equal Chelsea legend Lampard, who also recorded 15 times in the knockout rounds of the Champions League during his playing career.

Sadio Mane scores brilliant goal as Liverpool beat Villarreal in UCL semifinal 1st leg

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This is some achievement from Mane, who has only featured in five Champions League campaigns for the Reds. Meanwhile, Lampard played in 12 for both Chelsea and Manchester City.

How Liverpool defeated Villarreal

Villareal took an early lead courtesy of a striker from Senegalese international Boulaye Dia in the 3rd-minute lead.

Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin doubled the hosts lead just before half-time to tie the game at 2-2 on aggregate.

However, the Reds staged a comeback in the second half with two quickfire goals from Fabinho and Luis Diaz to restore their 2-goal advantage on aggregate.

Mane then put the icing on the cake for Jurgen Klopp’s men after he scored the winner for Liverpool as they marched on to another Champions League final.

Liverpool await the winner between Real Madrid and Manchester City in the final.

Mane chasing the quadruple with Liverpool

Liverpool are on the hunt for the quadruple this season. They have already beaten Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final. They will be hoping for a repeat of the same when the two sides meet again in the FA Cup final next month.

Villarreal fans refuse to leave Anfield after Champions League defeat to Liverpool

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The Premier League title is however too close to call with Jurgen Klopp requiring Manchester City to put a foot wrong. The defending champions lead Liverpool by a point going into the final weeks of the campaign.

Mane should win the Ballon d'Or

At the same time, Sports Brief reported that former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has tipped Mane to win this year's Ballon d’Or award. Aside from his impressive numbers for Liverpool, Mane has achieved momentous success with his Senegalese side.

He led his national team to its first Africa Cup of Nations in February. Mane beat his Liverpool compatriot Mohamed Salah in the final to lift the gong.