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Victor Osimhen scored twice as Napoli demolished Frankfurt in Naples
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen found the back of the net twice in Napoli’s 3-0 victory over Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions league round of 16 second-leg to help I Partenopei seal qualification for the second round.
Napoli won the tie 5-0 on aggregate as they completely outclassed their German opponents with Osimhen scoring three goals over the two legs.
How it happened
Napoli brought a 2-0 lead into the second leg after dispatching Frankfurt in Germany three weeks ago, thanks to goals from Osimhen and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and were certain that only a massive collapse would see their lead overturned in Naples.
There was some fan trouble just before kick-off as alleged Frankfurt Ultras were seen destroying property in Naples, but those troubles stayed outside the field of play as Napoli and Osimhen were the only ones causing any trouble on grass.
The visitors were the first to come close to scoring as Rafael Santos Borre fired wide with an early chance, but Napoli soon took over the match, creating the better chances and threatening to take the lead on a number of occasions.
As Frankfurt poured forward in their numbers, trying to overturn the deficit from the first leg, Napoli found gaps in Die Adler’s defence.
Both Osimhen and his strike-partner Khvicha Kvaratskelia could have given Napoli the lead inside 20 minutes, but Frankfurt had goalkeeper Kevin Trapp to thank for saving them on both occasions as the German goalie did brilliantly to keep his side in the game.
He could not keep the irrepressible Osimhen out for long, however, as the Nigerian striker eventually broke the deadlock on the night in first-half added time with a brilliant header after he was found unmarked by Matteo Politano’s cross.
By half-time, Frankfurt were left with a mountain to climb, being 1-0 down on the night, and 3-0 down on aggregate to the current Serie A leaders.
The start of the second half showed that Frankfurt learned nothing from the end of the first-half, as Osimhen was left unmarked inside the six-yad box yet again and the marksman made them pay for their sins once more with a simple finish from Di Lorenzo’s cut back.
Just over 10 minutes later, Napoli were out of sight, as Djibril Sow fouled Piotr Zielinski in the penalty area and referee Anthony Taylor did not hesitate to point to the spot.
Zielinski picked himself up and fired home from the spot to make it 3-0 to Napoli on the night and 5-0 on aggregate.
Napoli could have scored more goals, but for Kevin Trapp who had a decent game despite the three goals conceded.
Napoli reach quarterfinals for the first time
Napoli’s emphatic win over Frankfurt saw them reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club’s history and underlines the phenomenal season they have had domestically and in Europe.
Man of the Match
Osimhen’s two goals settled the tie as he showed once again that Napoli can count on him even in the big matches to come up with the goods.
He has now scored three goals in two knockout stage matches, and will be hoping to find the net more in more fixtures going forward.
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