Porto 2-0 Antwerp: Zaidu, Ejuke and Alhassan Yusuf all in action as 40-year-old Pepe breaks UCL record
FC Porto gained good ground in Group H of the UEFA Champions League with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Royal Antwerp.
The match was notable for a number of reasons, one of which being the fact that three Nigerian players featured with Zaidu Sanusi representing Porto while Alhassan Yusuf and Chidera Ejuke were in the red of Royal Antwerp.
Evanilson's first half penalty gave Porto the lead after which legendary Portuguese defender Pepe scored the second in the 91st minute to seal the points and also became the older goalscorer in Champions League history.
Pepe becomes the older player to score in the Champions League
Pepe connected with a cross from Francisco Conceicao in the 91st minute to double Porto's lead and become the oldest player to ever score a Champions League goal at 40 years and 254 days old.
Pepe becomes the oldest scorer in #UCL history (40 years, 254 days) ©️ pic.twitter.com/fg207tbAOh
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 7, 2023
He surpassed Francesco Totti who previously held the record having scored for Roma against Manchester City in 2014 at 38 years and three days old.
Just by playing this game, Pepe also became the oldest outfield players to start a Champions League game.
Pepe becomes the oldest scorer in #UCL history (40 years, 254 days) ©️ pic.twitter.com/fg207tbAOh
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 7, 2023
The Nigerians in action
Super Eagles left back Zaidu Sanusi was on the winning side, starting for Porto and playing until the 83rd minute when he was substituted for Jorge Sanchez.
On the other side was another Nigerian, Alhassan Yusuf the Royal Antwerp midfielder who tackled tough and was booked in the 20th minute but still had a good game overall in the full match he played.
Another Super Eagle was involved, tricky winger Chidera Ejuke came off the bench for Antwerp in the 75th minute, replacing Gyrano Kerk but he could not help provide the attacking spark the visitors were looking for.