Nigeria international, Ademola Lookman sealed Atletico Madrid’s Champions League victory over Manchester United with a 79th -minute strike at the Metropolitano last night.
On the same night, his compatriot Victor Osimhen endured a heavy home defeat as Galatasaray lost to Barcelona in Istanbul.
Lookman’s goal made United the first English side to lose in this season’s competition. It also capped a night of contrasting fortunes for Nigeria’s two Champions League front men.
Atletico took an early lead when Pablo Barrios scored inside the first minute. Alex Baena raced beyond Diogo Dalot onto a routine ball over the United defence and squared for Barrios, whose shot squirmed under goalkeeper Ayden Heaven.
United head coach Michael Carrick made five changes and saw an improved display, but his side have now gone five games without a win. Bryan Mbeumo wasted two good chances to level before the break, while Marcus Rashford failed to make contact with Lisandro Martinez’s pass.
Captain Bruno Fernandes came closest after the interval when he lifted Youri Tielemans’ pass over goalkeeper Jan Oblak, but it dropped off target. Alejandro Grimaldo hit the post with a free-kick for the hosts, and Julian Alvarez, making his second start of the season, failed to make the most of a chance created by Barrios.
United’s last hope of an equaliser vanished when France defender Leny Yoro was sent off for tangling with substitute Jonathan David as the last man. Lookman, a former Everton striker, then struck to seal the points for Atletico.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
