The UEFA Europa League and Europa Convention League quarterfinal second legs delivered drama throughout Europe on Thursday evening – nevertheless it proved a bitter night for a number of Nigerian footballers, Soccernet.ng studies.
On the San Mamés, Leon Balogun and Cyriel Dessers began for Rangers however have been unable to assist the Scottish facet keep away from elimination from the Europa League.
Rangers fell 2-0 to Athletic Bilbao, who progress 2-0 on mixture following a goalless attract Glasgow final week.
Oihan Sancet opened the scoring from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time after John Souttar drew a foul within the field.
Nico Williams then sealed the win within the eightieth minute, heading dwelling Oscar de Marcos’ cross.
Each Balogun and Dessers acquired yellow playing cards within the first half as Rangers’ European hopes got here to a disappointing finish.
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Over in Rome, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru watched from the bench as Lazio mounted a spirited fightback in opposition to Bodo/Glimt.
Trailing 2-0 from the primary leg in Norway, Lazio levelled the tie in regulation time with a dramatic late objective within the 93rd minute to drive further time.
The Italians edged forward 3-2 on mixture earlier than Bodo/Glimt responded to attract stage once more. The Norwegian facet in the end triumphed 3-2 on penalties, thanks to 2 essential saves by goalkeeper Nikita Haikin.
Within the Europa Convention League, Tosin Adarabioyo featured at centre-back for Chelsea, who fell 2-1 at dwelling to Legia Warszawa.
Objectives from Steve Kapuadi and Tomas Pekhart overturned Marc Cucurella’s first-half strike.
Nevertheless, Chelsea’s 3-0 win within the first leg in Warsaw ensured they progressed with a 4-2 mixture scoreline.
Adarabioyo, who stays on the radar of Nigeria coach Eric Chelle, will hope for higher defensive cohesion within the semifinals.
Legia fielded 20-year-old midfielder Rotimi Oyedele, a Poland worldwide of Nigerian heritage, who impressed in midfield.
Amongst these nonetheless flying the flag as a Nigerian descent in Europe is Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke.
The striker was the hero in Frankfurt, scoring the one objective from the penalty spot in a 1-0 win over Eintracht that secured Spurs’ passage to the Europa League semifinals with a 2-1 mixture win.
Elsewhere, Michael Folorunsho – now capped by Italy however previously eligible for Nigeria – performed all 90 minutes as Fiorentina edged out Slovenian facet Celje. A 2-2 attract Florence adopted a 2-1 away win final week, sealing a 4-3 mixture victory for the Italian membership.
And in arguably essentially the most thrilling match of the spherical, Manchester United outlasted Lyon in a surprising Europa League tie.
Danish-Nigerian full-back Patrick Dorgu was concerned as United got here from 4-2 down in further time to win 5-4 on the evening – 7-6 on mixture – after the primary leg had ended 2-2 in France.
Total, whereas many Nigerian internationals bowed out, a variety of gamers with Nigerian roots stay in rivalry for European silverware.