Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Champions League: Mertens beats Maradona’s Napoli goal mark to edge Salzburg


Belgium attacker Dries Mertens beat Diego Maradona’s tally of 115 goals for Napoli to help his side beat Salzburg 3-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Mertens, 32, who joined the Italian club in 2013, is now just five goals behind Marek Hamsik who has the all-time Napoli goals record of 121.

The victory keeps Napoli top of Group E, a point above holders Liverpool who beat bottom side Genk 4-1, with Salzburg in third place on three.

Belgium attacker Dries Mertens beat Diego Maradona’s tally of 115 goals for Napoli to help his side beat Salzburg 3-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Mertens, 32, who joined the Italian club in 2013, is now just five goals behind Marek Hamsik who has the all-time Napoli goals record of 121.

The victory keeps Napoli top of Group E, a point above holders Liverpool who beat bottom side Genk 4-1, with Salzburg in third place on three.

He blasted his effort to the top corner after a deft assist from Jose Callejon.

Norway forward Haaland, scored his 19th goal in 13 appearances this season with five minutes of the first half to play.

South Korea striker Hwang Hee-chan was brought down in the Napoli box by right-back Kevin Malcuit and 19-year-old Haaland converted from the spot.

Mertens went one better than Maradona with 25 minutes to play after right-back Malcuit made up for his earlier defensive error with a tidy cross for the Belgian.

The visitors then levelled as Haaland headed in from a Zlatko Junuzovic inswinging cross after 73 minutes to become the first player to score six goals in his first three Champions League appearances.

But without Salzburg touching the ball from the restart substitute Lorenzo Insigne smashed home the winner from Mertens’ cross on the half-volley to keep them ahead of Liverpool.

The two sides meet again on November 5 in southern Italy.


No comments:

Post a Comment