‘I’ve finally made it’ – Wilf Zaha reacts to scoring first Champions League goal as ex-Palace winger helps Galatasaray beat Man United

Wilfried Zaha explained that scoring his first Champions League goal was everything he dreamed of after the former Crystal Palace winger scored in Galatasaray’s 3-2 win at Manchester United on Tuesday evening.

The 30-year-old equalised for Galatasaray to make the scoreline 1-1 in the 23rd minute when he collected a long pass from ex-Spurs centre-back Davidson Sanchez. Zaha spun United defender Deigo Dalot and hit a shot into the ground and over Andre Onana.

Croydon-raised Zaha turned down a club-record £200,000 a week at Crystal Palace over the summer to join the Turkish giants.

Galatasaray are second in Group A and host German side Bayern Munich in the next round of the competitions.

Palace academy graduate Zaha moved to Manchester United as a 20-year-old but only made two league appearances for the Red Devils before moving back to Selhurst Park.

“Dreams come true, really,” Zaha told TNT Sports pitchside at Old Trafford. “I’m happy to be playing in this competition, and it’s a good night for me.

“I just wanted a good enough ball for it to drop for me to hit it, really, and I was waiting and holding the defender off for a while.

“I’ve changed my game a bit where it’s not always one-vs-one anymore – I like to try and run off the ball as well. 

“So I got my head up and saw Davinson with the ball, so I cut in and made a run inside, made sure I turned it and waited for the right time for the ball to drop and put it in the goal.

“It literally is everything I dreamed of. Even things like coming here on the bus, the music before the game starts, the stars on the ball. 

“I’ve finally made it here, and there’s nothing like it.

“It’s playing between the best and it’s a chance to showcase my talent between the best – ‘it’s here to decide whether you’re good or not. Days like today are what it’s all about for me.”