David Luiz Rolls Back Years as Pafos Snatch Late Point Against Monaco in Wild Champions League Night

David Luiz, all of 38 and still throwing himself about like it’s 2012 again, grabbed a dramatic late equaliser as Pafos battled back for a 2–2 draw with Monaco in the Champions League. His bullet header also made him the second-oldest scorer in the competition’s history, only pipped by Pepe’s record for Porto.

Monaco looked comfy early doors. Takumi Minamino cracked in a neat first-time finish after a tidy ball from Maghnes Akliouche, and for a while the Cypriot champions was hanging on. Anderson Silva nearly hauled them level with a cheeky effort from range that clipped the bar, but the visitors still went in feeling rather pleased with themselves.

Luiz changed all that just after the restart, thundering in a header from Mislav Oršić’s corner — his first Champions League goal since his Chelsea days back in 2017. The old boy loved it, roaring at the home end like he’d never been away.

But Pafos made life hard for themselves again. Keeper Neofytos Michael coughed up the ball under no real pressure and Folarin Balogun gleefully tucked it away to restore Monaco’s lead. A proper gift, wrapped and bow-tied.

Still, Pafos refused to pack it in. They pushed late, and when Ivan Šunjić’s effort smacked the bar, the rebound bounced in off a very unlucky Mohammed Salisu. A scruffy equaliser, but no one in Cyprus will be complaining.

Both sides now sit on identical records — one win, three draws and a defeat from five — leaving Group standings tight enough to make anyone twitchy heading into the final matchday. Paul Pogba, back in the squad after over two years out through a doping ban and fitness issues, stayed on the bench for Monaco, but his return to the fold could yet matter in the run-in.

Next up, it’s a proper scrap for qualification spots. And if Luiz keeps rolling back the years like this, Pafos might just fancy their chances.