Categories: NewsNewsNowNigeriaUCL

Super Eagles Star Passes Cristiano Ronaldo Test

The Portuguese star is running out of time to win a sixth Champions League title after an FC Porto side featuring Zaidu Sanusi defied the odds to knock out Juventus. 

Super Eagles star Zaidu Sanusi faced the two biggest challenges of his career in the last three weeks, and he passed both in flying colours.

The Nigerian international played a vital role in the Porto team that stopped Juventus from reaching the Champions League quarterfinal.

With five-time Champions League winner Cristiano Ronaldo in the Juventus team, Sanusi and his Porto were in for a difficult mission.

However, the former Santa Clara player was brilliant over two legs to help the Portuguese champions progress to the quarterfinal.

The 23-year-old featured for 71 minutes at the Allianz Stadium and was solid defensively, winning six duels, while he also had a 79% accuracy.

Porto had stunned the Italian Champions in the first leg, winning 2-1 at the Estádio do Dragão, but Juventus were still favourites to progress last night.

But it was the Portuguese champions that took the lead courtesy of a Sérgio Oliveira penalty in the 19th minute after Merih Demiral had fouled Moussa Marega.

However, Juventus equalised four minutes into the second-half through Federico Chiesa. Things got worse for Porto as Mehdi Taremi received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away in frustration.

Andrea Pirlo’s men took advantage of the extra man to take the lead, with Chiesa heading his second from a Juan Cuadrado’s cross.

Chiesa’s second levelled the tie on aggregate, but the Old Lady were now favourites to progress due to the man advantage.

However, Juventus could not find a third, and the match went into extra-time. The extra-time was filled with drama as Oliviera fired in a freekick to draw Porto level and restore their aggregate lead.

Adrien Rabiot’s header from a corner kick then levelled the aggregate scores, but the Old Lady still crashed out on away goals

Joba Ogunwale

Oluwajoba Ogunwale has many years of experience as a sports content writer. The most recent of these was at Opera News, after which he took up the role of Editor-in-Chief at Soccernet.

View Comments

Share
Published by
Joba Ogunwale

Recent Posts

Victor Osimhen on course to break Napoli record in Serie A clash against Udinese

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen could become the third Napoli striker to score against a… Read More

7 hours ago

EFL Championship play-off: West Brom’s Semi Ajayi set to lock horns with Southampton’s Aribo

Super Eagles duo, Semi Ajayi and Joe Ayodele-Aribo will lock horns in the semi-final of… Read More

9 hours ago

Nigeria legend Odegbami names the ideal Super Eagles assistant coach for Finidi: It is not Amunike

1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Segun Odegbami has applauded the appointment of Finidi George… Read More

10 hours ago

Awoniyi makes quick comeback against Sheffield to boost Nottingham’s relegation survival

Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi has made a quick return to the squad as Nottingham… Read More

10 hours ago

Transfer tussle: Chelsea ready to swipe Tosin from Newcastle, Spurs as Thiago Silva nears exit

Chelsea are eyeing a move for Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo, joining a host of clubs vying… Read More

10 hours ago

“What have you won?” – Former PSG defender confident Super Eagles stars will not disrespect Finidi

Former Nigeria international Godwin Okpara has expressed his belief that new national team head coach… Read More

11 hours ago