Ademola Lookman came off the bench to score Atletico Madrid's second goal in a 2-0 win over Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The Super Eagles forward tapped in a rebound in the 79th minute on 13 October, ending a run of six matches without a goal.
It was a scrappy finish. It may also be the most useful goal of his season.
How the goal came
Pablo Barrios had put Atletico ahead inside the first minute at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, and the hosts then spent most of the evening chasing a second, with Julian Alvarez striking the post early in the second half and a Johnny Cardoso effort ruled out by VAR before the break. The game turned in the 74th minute. Leny Yoro was sent off after a VAR review for bringing down Jonathan David as the last defender.
Five minutes later, United goalkeeper Senne Lammens saved from David. Lookman was first to the loose ball. He had been on the pitch for roughly eight minutes.
Atletico had lost their opening league phase game at Liverpool, so this was their first win of the campaign. United, under Michael Carrick, are now winless in five.
Opta's The Analyst counts four goal involvements for Lookman in six Champions League appearances as a substitute.
Simeone's patience pays off
The timing matters. Before kick off, Soccernet reported that Lookman had scored once in nine appearances across all competitions this season, had slipped behind Alex Baena in the pecking order and had been withdrawn after 47 minutes in the previous game at Alaves, a long way from the nine goals and four assists in 24 appearances he produced after arriving from Atalanta in January for a reported 35 million euros.
Diego Simeone had backed him in public. “Ademola isn't at the level he wants or we want, but he works hard every day,” the Atletico coach said on the eve of the game. “I believe in him.”
Afterwards, Legit.ng reported, Simeone said the Nigerian had “rediscovered his scoring touch.” He credited the forward's anticipation. “He had the instinct to follow up the play, and the rebound went his way. We got the win we needed.”
Next for Atletico is a La Liga trip to Espanyol this weekend. Will Simeone hand him a start?
What it means for the Super Eagles
Eric Chelle will be watching. Lookman started on the left wing when Nigeria beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo last month in AFCON 2027 qualifying, before the 3-0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau left the Eagles on three points in Group L, three behind the Djurtus, with only the best side apart from co-hosts Tanzania sure of a place at the finals.
Tanzania come next. Nigeria host them at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Wednesday 11 November, then travel for the return four days later.
Another slip would be costly. A confident Lookman on the flank gives Chelle a different attack.
One goal off the bench does not end a slump. It is a start, four weeks before Uyo.
For more on the player, read our Ademola Lookman biography and our Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United preview. You can also see how Victor Osimhen fared against Barcelona on the same night.
This article was most recently revised and updated 32 seconds ago
