Samuel Chukwueze had only three touches of the ball in Villarreal’s 4-1 success over Young Boys on Wednesday night, but the wide attacker’s late strike made up for months of frustration on the sidelines.
The Nigerian missed last year’s Europa League final and had to sit out the opening months of the season as he recovered from an injury that kept him out since the final month of last season. He’s had to watch his teammates claim their first major European trophy, participate in their foremost Super Cup against Chelsea and miss out on the opening two games on their Champions League return.
With a minute of normal time remaining in Bern and already at 3-1 lead, Unai Emery introduced the 22-year-old for his first ever UEFA Champions League appearance.
The Super Eagles forward found the back of the net with his first touch of the game.
Young Boys went into the clash with a three-game unbeaten run on their turf in the Champions League — including a 2-1 win over Manchester United on the opening match-day — but Villarreal produced a superior performance to prevent the Swiss side from equaling their longest run without a defeat in the European Cup.
MOLATsportgist 