Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman scored his first Champions League goal for Atletico Madrid as they were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Club Brugge in their playoff first leg clash on Wednesday, SportPremi reports.
The 28-year-old has been in good form since completing a €40 million move from Atalanta during the winter transfer window with two goals and two assists from four matches.
He scored Atletico’s second goal of the game to make it his third goal for the club under a month, highlighting his growing importance to Diego Simeone’s side.
Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika also shone on the night, scoring once and providing one assist as Club Brugge snatched a late draw in the clash.
Super Eagles stars steal the spotlight at the Jan Breydel Stadium
Two Nigerian stars Lookman and Onyedika went head to head when Club Brugge played host to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their playoff encounter on Wednesday night.
The hosts had finished in 19th place on the standings, while the Spanish giants finished in 14th position, setting up a feisty clash.
Joaquin Seys handled the ball after a mistimed jump in the box, leading to a penalty kick for Atletico Madrid inside the first 10 minutes of the clash.
Julian Alvarez stepped up and fired emphatically into the corner with the keeper remaining rooted to a spot as the visitors took the lead.
Onyedika then went close for Club Brugge, but his effort was saved by Jan Oblak in the visitors goal.
The Nigerian midfielder had another effort on goal from outside the area, but was repelled for a second time by the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper before Lookman made it two after slotting in from close range after a flick on by Antoine Griezmann from a corner kick.
Club Brugge pulled one back six minutes after the restart as Onyedika tapped home from a rebound, before Nicolo Tresoldi grabbed the equalizer on the hour mark.
Atletico went close as substitute Alexander Sorloth hit the woodwork with a header, before they went in front when Joel Ordonez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
However, the hosts grabbed another equalizer after Onyedika’s quick turn and pass found Christos Tzolis, who fired home into the corner.
The match ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw with all to play for in the second leg next week in Spain.
What next?
Both sides face off in the second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to face Liverpool or Tottenham in the Round of 16.
