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The Nigeria winger had a game to remember as Villarreal sealed an edgy win over Getafe on Monday night.
Super Eagles star Samuel Chukwueze had his best performance for Villarreal in recent years after scoring and providing an assist in the Yellow Submarines’ 2-1 win over Getafe in their Laliga clash at Estadio la Ceramica.
Prior to the game, Villarreal were winless in their last four league games, but Chukwueze’s man-of-the-match display ended the miserable run.
How it happened
Villarreal needed a win badly going into the game, but they got off to a bad start as Enes Unal’s looping header in the ninth minute gave put Getafe ahead.
Quique Setien’s men struggled to find their feet in the opening minutes of the game and they almost went two behind after Getafe found space in their defence.
However, a vital intervention from Juan Foyth kept them in the game. The danger fired Villarreal up as they went in search of an equaliser.
The Yellow Submarines almost drew level midway through the first half, but Chukwueze could not connect with a cross from Foyth.
However, the Super Eagles star would later find the breakthrough just a minute before the break.
The Nigeria international showed great intelligence to set up Etienne Capoue with a beautiful backheel before firing into an empty net after the former’s shot was pushed into his path by Getafe’s goalkeeper David Soria.
It was Chukwueze’s second consecutive goal in the league after scoring in the 4-2 defeat against Real Mallorca last weekend.
The strike was also his tenth in all competitions, setting a new personal best in a single season.
Chukwueze’s moment of magic seals it for Villarreal
The home side went into the break with the scores tied but resumed the second half with more energy.
Unlike the first half, it was Villarreal who broke the deadlock in the second half, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Chukwueze.
The former Golden Eaglets star showed a brilliant piece of individual skill to evade his marker before setting up Jose Luis Morales for a close-range finish.
It was the first time Chukwueze assisted and scored in the same match since doing the same against Barcelona in 2019.
The 22-year-old’s assist turned out to be vital as Villarreal held on for an important win despite Getafe’s late pressure.
Chukwueze was deservedly named man-of-the-match following the game as Villarreal moved up to seventh on the table.
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