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The Senegalese star opened his goal tally for the 2020-21 season on Tuesday to help the Turkish Super League achieve its first victory in the tournament.
Istanbul Basaksehir striker Demba Ba has become the second-oldest African player to score a goal in the UEFA Champions League with his goal in a 2-1 win over Manchester United.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle United striker opened the scoring at Fatih Terim Stadium on Tuesday night in the 12th minute with his first goal of the season.
At 35 years and 163 days, the Senegalese international lags behind Costa Rican Didier Drogba, who scored his last Champions League goal in November 2014 at the age of 36 years and 259 days.
35y 163d – Demba Ba is the second oldest African player to score a goal in the Champions League, behind only Didier Drogba, who was 36 years and 259 days old when he scored his last goal in November 2014. Not scored. pic.twitter.com/mxyca6GMNZ
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 4, 2020
Edin Visca, who assisted in Ba’s opener, found the back of the net in the 40th minute to give the hosts a two-goal lead, but Anthony Martial responded immediately to cut Manchester United’s deficit 137 seconds later.
1 – Edin Visca is the first player to score and assist in a single Champions League game against Manchester United since Arjen Robben for Bayern Munich in April 2014. Provider. pic.twitter.com/dEP1LMa85f
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 4, 2020
After the restart, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men could not find a draw as Istanbul Basaksehir held the lead in the first half to secure their first win in elite European competition this season.
Tuesday’s outing was Ba’s first Champions League start since August 2014, and he was on parade for 80 minutes before being replaced by Fredrik Gulbrandsen.
Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo, however, was an unused substitute for the Red Devils as he awaits the opportunity to make his tournament debut.
Despite the victory, Istanbul Basaksehir remains at the end of Group H with three points after three games while Manchester United sit comfortably at the top with six points after the same number of games.
After ending his eight-game goal drought in competitive soccer, Ba will look to capitalize on his first goal of the season when the Owls host Gencleribirligi for Sunday’s game in the Turkish Super Lig.
Istanbul Basaksehir have won their last three league games and placed seventh in the top flight rankings with 10 points after seven starts.
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