Sadio Mane Breaks Important Record Held by Didier Drogba After Champions League Masterclass Against Villarreal

• Liverpool star Sadio Mane is officially Africa’s highest goalscorer in the Champions League knockout stages
• Mane achieved the feat after his goal against Villarreal in the second leg of their semi-final meeting on Tuesday night
• His goal during the match took his tally to 15 Champions League goals in the knockout phase, surpassing Didier Drogba's record of 14

Liverpool ace Sadio Mane has broken a longstanding Champions League record held by Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba.

Mane achieved the milestone after his starring role in Liverpool's epic comeback win over Villarreal in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash on Tuesday night, May 3.

Having secured a 2-0 win in the first leg played at Anfield, the Reds had one foot firmly in the final of the European competition.

However, Villarreal came close to causing a scare in the return leg as they went 2-0 up in the first half of the clash

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But a spirited performance in the second half saw the Premier League giants turn the tie to their favour once again.

Fabinho pulled one back for the visitors in the 62nd minute before Luis Diaz equalised five minutes later.

Mane completed the comeback in the 74th minute as Liverpool stormed to a 3-2 win and 5-2 on aggregate to reach the final.

Sadio Mane breaks Didier Drogba's record

According to Goal, Mane's goal was enough to afford him a place in history books as he became Africa’s highest goalscorer in the Champions League knockout stages.

Didier Drogba has been the holder of that record - thanks to his epic career with Chelsea.

Mane had equalled Drogba's record of 14 goals after he scored in the first leg of their tie with Villarreal.

However, his goal in Spain was enough to see him climb the ladder above the Ivorian football legend with 15 goals.

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Sadio Mane favourite to win the Ballon d'Or

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Sadio Mane has now emerged as a strong front runner for the Ballon d’Or award.

The Liverpool attacker started the year emphatically by guiding his nation Senegal to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in Cameroon.

Mane has so far won two trophies in 2022 and is chasing three more to emerge a strong favourite for the Ballon d’Or award.