VICTOR Osimhen was once again the star man for Napoli as they defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in Germany tonight, the same time as Real Madrid’s stunning 5-2 victory at Liverpool in UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg clashes.
The Nigeria international scored one of Napoli’s goals, had another one disallowed for offside and won a penalty for the runaway Serie A leaders.
Osimhen struck from point-blank range in the 40th minute to open the scoring and register his 20th goal of the season, four minutes after Kvicha Kvaratskhelia missed the penalty that had been awarded for a foul on the Super Eagles striker.
The 24-year-old Nigerian then slotted home moments after his opener following a sweeping counter-attack, but he was marginally offside and the goal was not given.
Napoli wrapped up the win in the 65th minute through Giovanni Di Lorenzo from a clever Kvaratskhelia assist, seven minutes after Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randall Kolo Muani was sent off.
In the other Champions League encounter of the night, Real Madrid came from behind to hand a bruising 5-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
The hosts, gunning for revenge for last season’s final defeat to the Spanish giants, were quick out of the blocks and were 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes.
Mohamed Salah set up Darwin Nunez for a cheeky finish just four minutes in with a brilliant through pass, and the Egypt forward made it two in the 14th minute, pouncing on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ error to slot into an unguarded net.
Real Madrid then showed the stuff of champions, levelling up before half-time, with Vinicius Junior netting twice in the 21st and 36th minutes.
The second goal was from another goalkeeping howler, Alisson hitting the ball against his fellow Brazilian and watching helplessly as it sailed into the net.
Eder Militao headed in Luka Modric’s free-kick two minutes after the restart to give the visitors the lead for the first time.
Karim Benzema then netted twice in the 55th and 67th minutes to seal Real Madrid’s sixth win in seven meetings with Liverpool.
Real Madrid made history with the result, becoming the first visiting team to score five Champions League goals at Anfield.
