No Nigerian had ever scored multiple goals against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu until Emmanuel Dennis arrived the Spanish capital with Club Brugge and on an amazing night, the Super Eagles forward grabbed a brace to help the Belgians claim a crucial point at the home of the most successful club in the Champions League.
The Nigerian striker was a scourge against Madrid in match day 2 as he scored two first half goals and even came very close to a third.
Emmanuel Dennis made history by becoming just the third Nigerian to score against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Even more remarkable is that he achieved this feat on Nigeria's Independence Day.
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Dennis, with his brace, also became only the seventh player to score multiple goals in a Champions League away match against Real Madrid, after Alessandro Del Piero, Alexandre Pato, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Lionel Messi, Mario Mandzukic and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The 21-year-old has however expressed his disappointment that Brugge could not earn a win despite his goals.
“The feeling would have been even better if we could have taken the three points home with us,” Emmanuel Dennis told the media after the match as monitored by Soccernet.ng.
“Everyone expected Real to easily set us aside, but we prepared well and believed in our game. We believed we could pick something up here.
“When we were in front 0-2 it gave us a good feeling, but it was still in the back of our minds that such a top team could also straighten this out. I am slightly disappointed with this one point.
“But it is a good point because it was made in the Bernabéu. (Real Madrid) remains a big team.
The Nigeria international also took time to relive his goals against former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
“With the first goal I wanted to control the ball so that the goalkeeper would lie down. But I missed my control so that my body was no longer in balance and I could work it in with my other foot.
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“At the second goal, I checked the ball and wanted to make a decision right away, but I saw Courtois come out wild, so I decided to “chip” the ball. Which ultimately paid off.
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“It is a shame that the goalkeeper turned out with a good save at the third chance. I didn't want to shoot to that side but the goalkeeper drove me there. Whether I will have a tattoo placed since I scored here? I like to make jokes for the camera (laughs).”
