Nigerian sensation, Victor Osimhen, grabbed his second Champions League goal as Lille side suffered a 4-1 bashing by Valencia on Tuesday.
Osimhen gave the French side a deserved lead in the 25th minute, but Valencia drew level in the 65th minute with an ice-cool “Panenka” penalty from captain Dani Parejo.
The home side went ahead in the 82nd with an own goal from Lille defender Adama Soumaoro, who diverted Jose Gaya’s low cross into the net.
French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia stretched Valencia’s lead two minutes later with an outstanding long distance strike, and substitute Ferran Torres rounded off the win with a coolly taken finish in the 90th.
The victory puts the Spaniards third in Group H on seven points, level on points with leaders Ajax Amsterdam and second-placed Chelsea who played out a thrilling 4-4 draw. Lille are bottom with one.
Valencia have had inconsistent results after sacking coach Marcelino in September and badly needed a win after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 away to Lille two weeks ago.
They produced a sluggish display in the first half, though, and fell behind when Osimhen fired past Jasper Cillessen after an attempted clearance from the home side took a ricochet and bounced into his path.
Rodrigo could have levelled on the stroke of halftime but was thwarted by a fine save from Mike Maignan and they were fortunate not to concede again when the lively Osimhen teed up Turkish forward Yusuf Yazici but he shot straight at Cillessen.
Lille would pay dearly for their wastefulness as defender Jose Fonte was penalised for handling the ball when he tried to block a cross and Parejo showed nerves of steel by calmly chipping the ball down the middle of the net.
The goal roused the Mestalla faithful and the players fed off their energy, producing a relentless finish to kill off their opponents.
Trending
- Breaking: Veteran Yoruba actor, Ogunjimi is dead
- EX-PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS DEMISE OF SIDI ALI, DR. BAFFA YO
- Japa Crises: 58,000 of 130,000 registered doctors renewed licence, says MDCN
- 34-Km Ikorodu-Itokin Road Reconstruction: Gov Sanwo-Olu, Senator Abiru Pay Thank You Visit To Works Minister, Umahi, Make Case For Road Dualisation
- Yahaya Bello: EFCC Chairman’s conduct suggest vendetta, not fight against corruption – Concerned APC chieftains
- LASG Promote Environment Hygiene, Steps up Campaign to end open Defecation
- Odumeje ‘Indaboski’ is a true man of God, says Nkechi Blessing
- Workers trapped as building collapses in Kano