Excellent Etebo Ends La Liga Drought, Akpom Fires PAOK To Victory

Nigerian midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo finally got his first-ever goal in the Spanish Primera Division, at his 23rd attempt, to put Getafe ahead in their tie against Eibar at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday evening.

In only his ninth appearance for Getafe since joining the side on-loan from Stoke City, Etebo received an Angel Rodriguez pass and smashed it in to hand the hosts the lead on the half-hour mark.

The former Las Palmas ace played 14 La Liga games in his first stint in Spain but recorded no goal.

However, the 24-year-old Super Eagles star has ended his goal drought in just his sixth league start for José Bordalás’ men. 

But moments before halftime, Eibar equalized through Charles Dias de Oliveira, a goal that had to be ratified by VAR before it was allowed to stand.

Injury, though, forced out Etebo in the 70th minute with the Nigerian replaced by Jason.

Pedro Bigas then thought he had scored the winner for Eibar with four minutes left of regulation time, but VAR ruled out the Spaniard’s goal. 

One-all – the scores at halftime – it was at full time as neither side could fashion out a winner in the second half. 

Meanwhile, in Greece, Chuba Akpom scored a last-minute penalty to complete a remarkable comeback for PAOK in their 3-1 win over OFI Crete. 

Juan Neira opened the scoring for OFI Crete at Toumba Stadium moments into the second half, but substitute Christos Tzolis levelled the scores for the hosts three minutes after coming on to the pitch.

It was looking like a disappointing evening for PAOK before Akpom converted his spot-kick to put his side ahead for the first time in the encounter. 

Omar El Kaddouri then added a third goal for the Greek giants to add gloss to the final scoreline.