Atletico Madrid defeated Nigeria 3-2 in an entertaining friendly encounter played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday.
Goals from Angel Correa, Fernando Torres and Borja Garces denied the Super Eagles B side a victory, despite scoring two top quality goals through Kelechi Nwakali and second half substitute, Usman Mohammed, whose effort evoked memories of country legend, Austin Jay Jay Okocha.
Club legend Torres started from the bench with Kevin Gameiro and match MVP Correa leading the line for Atletico, while Salisu Yusuf had Lobi Stars’ Kadiri Samad supported by Emem Eduok – from the right flank – in his attack.
In the 32nd minute, Nwakali produced a moment to relish for a long period as the youngster beat an Atletico player before unleashing a long-range curler past Oblak to hand his side a deserved lead.
The Super Eagles B lead would, however, be short lived after Emem Eduok conceded possession – in his half – to Thomas Partey who fed Correa.
The Argentina forward toe-poked past an onrushing Olufemi Thomas.
Before the interval, Destiny Ashadi – on as an early substitute for Austria Wien’s Alhassan Ibrahim – fluffed Nigeria’s chance to go into the break with a lead after his side-footed effort from an Eduok cutback missed the target.
Torres came on before the restart much to the delight of the fans, and the former Liverpool marksman made his presence felt almost immediately, but Thomas was equal to his long-range effort.
But three minutes after the hour mark, Thomas was powerless to stop Torres at his third time asking, as the Spain international, unmarked, connected a header to a perfectly-weighted corner kick from Correa to give the visitors the lead for the first time in the tie.
Nigeria drew level with Mohammed scoring a goal Jay Jay Okocha would be proud of.
The former Taraba United midfielder fed off fellow substitute Tosin Omoyele’s pass, skillfully – and severally turned an Atletico defender in and out, before converting to draw Nigeria level.
But Garces ensured Simeone’s men ended the tie winners after he sliced an effort past Thomas with only five minutes to go.
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