Lagos boy Danjuma’s first La Liga goal nearly settles Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal super-clash

In just his second appearance for the Yellow Submarines, the Nigerian-born Dutch striker was close to grabbing one of the most important goals of his career

New Villarreal signing Arnaut Danjuma scored his first-ever La Liga goal to help the Europa League champions earn a thrilling 2-2 draw with Spanish league winners Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday night.

In one of the most anticipated matches of the Spanish top flight’s matchday three, Villarreal’s Manuel Trigueros and Atletico’s Luis Suarez had exchanged goals before Danjuma was introduced for Pervis Estupinan just past the hour-mark.

Born in Lagos to a Nigerian mother and a Dutch father, the 24-year-old forward recently joined the Yellow Submarines from English Championship side Bournemouth for a reported €20 million.

And within ten minutes of his introduction, the PSV academy product received a fine pass in the box from Yeremi Pino and directed his effort past goalkeeper Jan Oblak for his first La Liga goal.

Villarreal held on to that lead and were a few seconds from celebrating their first win of the league campaign when disaster struck.

Centre-half Aissa Mandi undid the fantastic work he had done all evening by netting a bizarre own goal in the fifth minute of added time. That defensive blunder would deny Danjuma the winning goal and earn Diego Simeone’s side a late reprieve. 

Super Eagles attacker Samuel Chukwueze, still recovering from an injury that required surgery, did not make the matchday squad for the visitors.