SAMUEL Chukwueze outshone all the superstars last night to produce an outstanding display as Villarreal stunned Real Madrid 3-2 in a La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Super Eagles forward not only scored two superb goals in the shock comeback win against the Spanish and European champions, his overall performance was excellent.
The 23-year-old Nigeria international first put his mark on the game when he equalised for Villarreal after a Pau Torres own goal had given the hosts a 16th minute lead.
With six minutes left in the first half, a clever pass found Chukwueze one-on-one with Nacho in the Real Madrid box.
Chukwueze feinted to send the defender our of the way before placing the ball unerringly past Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid restored their advantage three minutes after the break through Vinicius Junior but Villarreal pulled level again with Jose Luis Morales’ goal in the 70th minute.
Chukwueze had the last word with a truly special goal in the 80th minute, smashing home an unstoppable shot left-footed from the right channel, just outside the Real Madrid box.
The skillful forward now has an impressive 11 goals and 11 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions this season.
The result all but ended Real Madrid’s ambitions of retaining their title, as they are 12 points behind leaders Barcelona having played one game more.
Villarreal boosted their chances of finishing in the UEFA Champions League places, staying fifth, within four points of fourth-placed Real Sociedad.
Also last night, in Belgium, it was a battle of in-form Nigerian strikers as Gift Orban’s Gent hosted Victor Boniface’s Union St Gilloise in a Jupiler Pro League encounter.
The contest ended 1-1 with Boniface assisting Lazare Armani’s first minute goal for Union St Gilloise before Hugo Cuypers equalised for Gent from the penalty spot 10 minutes from time.
Both Nigerian stars started, with Orban lasting 83 minutes, 18 more than Boniface.
Orban, 20, has registered nine goals and two assists in eight Belgian Pro League matches since joining Gent in January, while 22-year-old Boniface has seven goals and six assists in 29 league games.
