David Luiz Champions League Goal: Pafos Defender, 38, Heads First UCL Strike Since 2017 — What It Means

1) Quick lead — what happened

David Luiz, the 38-year-old Brazilian centre-back now at Pafos FC, scored a towering header to level the score against AS Monaco in the Champions League group-stage fixture — his first UCL goal since October 18, 2017. The header came from a corner and landed in the top-corner in the 18th minute, forcing a 1–1 game state and producing one of the feel-good moments of the night. Times Union+1

2) The goal, the match and immediate reaction

Playing in Limassol, David Luiz rose above Monaco defenders to power a header past Lukas Hradecky, bringing the score level at 1–1. The strike was celebrated by teammates and fans alike — a reminder that veteran defenders can still deliver decisive moments on big stages. Match reports and wire services captured the moment as a headline-making comeback in the competition. Times Union+1

3) Records & context: where this ranks historically

At 38 years and 218 days, Luiz became one of the oldest scorers in Champions League history, placing him behind Portuguese defender Pepe, who remains the competition’s oldest goalscorer (40 years, 290 days). UEFA and record authorities list the all-time oldest scorers, and Luiz’s name now appears high on that list following tonight’s goal. UEFA.com+1

Luiz’s last UCL goal came during his Chelsea days — the 3–3 classic against AS Roma on 18 October 2017 — which means more than eight years passed between his European strikes. That gap underlines both the longevity of his career and the unusual trajectory of a player returning to the Champions League after time away. ESPN.com+1

4) Why these matters: Pafos, Luiz’s comeback, and club impact

David Luiz’s return to European football this summer — signing for Pafos FC, a club making headlines as a Champions League debutant — already carried storylines about experience, leadership and marketing value. Tonight’s goal validates the acquisition on the field: not only does Luiz bring prestige and experience, but he can still influence continental matches in crucial moments. Wikipedia+1

For Pafos, a goal like this does more than chop a deficit — it raises the club’s profile, helps attract viewers and can lift the squad’s confidence in a tough group. For Luiz personally, it’s an emphatic reminder of his aerial threat and timing on set pieces even late in his career. Times Union

5) What fans will remember (and share)

• The image: Luiz’s trademark curly hair, leap, and the top-corner finish — a photo that will circulate widely on social feeds. Times Union
• The statline: First UCL goal since 2017; second-oldest scorer in Champions League history. ESPN.com+1
• The narrative: A veteran who returned to Europe and immediately made a moment count — storylines about longevity, leadership, and the romance of late-career highlights. Times Union+1

Bottom line

David Luiz’s headed equaliser for Pafos against AS Monaco is a headline-making, late-career moment: his first Champions League goal since 2017, a reminder of veteran value, and a new historic footnote that places him among the oldest scorers the competition has ever seen. Fans and pundits will replay the leap — and for Pafos, the moment is an early-season boost on Europe’s biggest stage. Times Union+1