Mertens beats Maradona's Napoli goal mark to edge Salzburg

Belgium attacker Dries Mertens beat Diego Marona's tally of 115 goals for Napoli to help his side beat Salzburg 3-2 in Champions League on Wednesday. Mertens, 32, who joined Italian club in 2013, is w just five goals behind Marek Hamsik who has all-time Napoli goals record of 121. Napoli's first European victory on ro since December 2016 keeps top of Group E, a point above holders Liverpool who beat bottom side Genk 4-1, with Salzburg in third place on three.

"It's a fantastic evening for us, but we still have to beat Salzburg again in order to qualify," coach Carlo Ancelotti told brocasters Sky Italia.

"It's a great night for him (Mertens). Napoli are back to winning a Champions League away fixture after three years and we hope to keep that going w," he ded.

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Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch named Mali teenr Sekou Keita

Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch named Mali teenr Sekou Keita on bench despite forward scoring equalizer at Sturm Graz on Saturday to maintain ir unbeaten start to Austrian league season. home side h an early goal ruled out by VAR as teen striker Erling Haaland was judged to be offside after 10 minutes. Mertens equaled Marona's tally, who reached number in 188 appearances in of seven seasons between 1984-1991 at San Paolo Stium, on 17 minutes. He blasted his effort to top corner after a deft assist from Jose Callejon. rway forward Haaland scored his 19th goal in 13 appearances this season with five minutes of first half to play. South Korea striker Hwang Hee-chan was brought down in Napoli box by right-back Kevin Malcuit and 19-year-old Haaland converted from spot.

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Mertens went one better than Marona

Mertens went one better than Marona with 25 minutes to play after right-back Malcuit me up for his earlier defensive error with a tidy cross for Belgian. visitors n leveled as Haaland heed in from a Zlatko Junuzovic inswinging cross after 73 minutes to become first player to score six goals in his first three Champions League appearances. But without Salzburg touching ball from restart substitute Lorenzo Insigne smashed home winner from Mertens' cross on half-volley to keep m ahe of Liverpool. two sides meet again on vember 5 in sourn Italy and a victory will move Napoli a step closer to a first kckout appearance in competition since 2017 leaving Salzburg to fight with Genk for a spot in Europa League.

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