Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Warren Zaire-Emery breaks Champions League goalscoring record in Dortmund draw

sportsmole.co.uk, 14 December 2023, 08:22
Paris Saint-Germain protege Warren Zaire-Emery wrote another piece of history by breaking a Champions League goalscoring record in his side's 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund in Group F.

Sitting two points clear of AC Milan and Newcastle United heading into the final matchday, Luis Enrique's side required a victory at the Westfalenstadion to assure themselves of a spot in the knockout stages.

Les Parisiens let a surfeit of chances to take the lead pass them by, including a 17th-minute Kylian Mbappe strike which Niklas Sule remarkably cleared off the line with a sliding challenge, which came moments before Bradley Barcola hit the post with a curling effort.

PSG's wastefulness would come back to bite them in the 51st minute, as Achraf Hakimi lost the ball in a dangerous area and could only watch on helplessly as Niclas Fullkrug teed up Karim Adeyemi for the game's opening goal.

However, Dortmund's advantage was wiped out just five minutes later, as Zaire-Emery collected a loose ball just outside the box and drove into the penalty area before unleashing a fierce low strike into the bottom corner.

In doing so, the 2006-born starlet became the youngest-ever French player to score in the Champions League at 17 years and 280 days old, dethroning the previous record holder Karim Benzema, who was 17 years and 352 days when he netted for Lyon against Rosenborg in 2005.

As well as earning a place in the record books, Zaire-Emery's strike ensured that PSG would be present in the last 16 of the Champions League for the 12th season running, as the French champions pipped AC Milan to second place by the skin of their teeth.

Boasting a superior head-to-head record than Milan but an inferior one to Newcastle, PSG were heading out of Europe's top tournament when Joelinton gave the Magpies the lead at St James' Park, but Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze's strikes saw Milan complete a praiseworthy second-half comeback.

The Rossoneri's 2-1 success in the North East of England saw them end Group F level on points with PSG, but owing to their head-to-head goal difference of +2 compared to Milan's -2, Enrique's men claimed second place and demoted Stefano Pioli's side down to the Europa League.

At the Westfalenstadion, Zaire-Emery made his first start since sustaining a serious ankle injury in November - which was originally expected to sideline him until 2024 - and the France international has insisted that he will only look back on the positive aspects of PSG's mixed group-stage run.

"I only remember the positive. We had a good match overall and managed to create chances, which is the hardest thing in football, we now have to make them happen," Zaire-Emery told PSG's media channels.

"We only keep the positive, we will see what happens later but we will be ready, whatever team we face. I had a good experience with this match, we knew how to manage our emotions. This is what we learn. We came to get first place, that was the objective, but we will do everything to win the next matches.

"My match? I felt good. I was coming back from injury and had played part of the match against Nantes. So I was doing well cardio wise. I had prepared well to come back. I was very good."

Prior to Wednesday's showdown in Germany, Zaire-Emery had already become PSG's youngest-ever player and goalscorer in any competition, before scoring on his France debut to become Les Bleus' second-youngest scorer of all time.

By finishing second in Group F, PSG will face one of seven group winners in Arsenal, Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad or Atletico Madrid in the last 16, the draw for which will take place on Monday.

Top News

15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erik ten Hag's chances of keeping the managerial position at Manchester United beyond the end of the 2023-24 campaign are reportedly 50-50. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi has revealed that he is planning to keep hold of Marc Casado amid the recent speculation surrounding the midfielder's future. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly willing to offer £55m for Jarrad Branthwaite this summer, but Everton value the in-demand centre-back closer to £80m. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is hopeful that Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford will all be available for the FA Cup final against Manchester City. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly reached a decision over a new asking price for Romelu Lukaku. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich are reportedly planning to hold talks with Thomas Tuchel over the possibility of the German remaining as head coach beyond the end of the campaign. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich are reportedly planning to hold talks with Thomas Tuchel over the possibility of the German remaining as head coach beyond the end of the campaign. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has claimed that the Blues have been 'making investments', rather than spending money, in the transfer market. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have allegedly been in touch with Kieran McKenna's representatives to discuss the possibility of the Ipswich Town head coach replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has given every indication that the club's hierarchy have the 'patience' to keep Mauricio Pochettino as head coach. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Some Manchester United players are allegedly 'reluctant to pass the ball' to Rasmus Hojlund, with a number of the first-team squad having concerns over the Denmark international. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sofyan Amrabat's agent was reportedly in Manchester on Tuesday to hold talks with Manchester United over the future of his client. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly in line to secure a welcome financial boost ahead of filing their next accounts. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has been announced as the new head coach of Red Bull Salzburg ahead of his exit from Anfield. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United could surpass a record currently held by the Premier League's worst-ever team when they take to the field for their final two matches of the 2023-24 campaign. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aaron Wan-Bissaka will reportedly say goodbye to the Manchester United supporters following Wednesday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bringing the curtain down on another top-flight campaign, Famalicao will welcome top-half chasers Casa Pia to Estadio Municipal 22 de Junho on Friday night in the Primeira Liga. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The culmination of the 2023-24 League One campaign takes place under the famous arch of Wembley Stadium when Bolton Wanderers lock horns with Oxford United in the playoff final on Saturday afternoon. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly considering making a move for Aston Villa centre-forward Ollie Watkins during this summer's transfer window. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that one Chelsea player will be "much better" next season. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A trio of England internationals are reportedly among seven players whom Arsenal are prepared to entertain offers for in the summer transfer window. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of Liverpool's first-team goalkeepers has confirmed that he is eyeing a move away from Anfield in the summer transfer window. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sint-Truiden and Leuven meet on Friday evening merely playing for pride having already missed out on European qualification. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by just one place and two points in the Serie A rankings, Fiorentina and Napoli square off at Artemio Franchi in Friday's fascinating contest. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bruno Fernandes is reportedly expected to remain with Manchester United this summer despite the recent speculation surrounding his future at Old Trafford. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid set a club clean sheet record on Tuesday evening, as the capital giants continued their excellent form with a 5-0 success over Alaves in Spain's top flight. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has firmly denied a claim that some of the club's injured players are ducking matches in the latter stages of the 2023-24 campaign. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An apoplectic Ange Postecoglou professed that the foundations of Tottenham Hotspur are "fragile" after the Lilywhites missed out on Champions League football with their 2-0 loss to Manchester City on Tuesday. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Domestic leagues across Europe have now entered the business end of the season, with battles at the top and bottom of standings now close to reaching their conclusions.
Fri 17 May, 18:45
L2
Bordeaux Bordeaux
-
sch
Pau Pau
Sun 19 May, 12:30
ERD
PSV PSV
-
sch
Waalwijk Waalwijk