Record-breaking Osimhen goal gives Napoli first Scudetto since 1990

Victor Osimhen scored the decisive goal for Napoli as they played out a 1-1 draw at Udinese to seal their first league title since 1990. The Super Eagles striker wrote his name in the history books for the Partenopei with a record-breaking goal in Udine.

Coming into the game on the back of a three-game goal drought, his longest this season, Osimhen was leading the line against a Udinese side who were without the injured Isaac Success. The striker looked distraught at the weekend when a late equaliser saw Salernitana prevent them from winning the title.

Napoli were stunned in the 13th minute as the home side went ahead through midfielder Sandi Lovric, who fired home from inside the box after receiving a pass from Destiny Udogie.

The league leaders struggled to create clear-cut chances as they have in recent weeks, and the closest they came was in first half added time when a header from Osimhen missed the goal by a narrow margin.

Seven minutes into the second half, Osimhen seized the moment to make history for Napoli. A corner kick from Eljif Elmas was headed out to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the box, and the Georgian winger struck a low effort which was saved by Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri. The rebound fell to the Nigerian striker, who lashed the ball high into the roof of the net, sending the visiting fans into raptures. It was Osimhen’s 22nd Serie A goal of the season, a goal that saw him break Samuel Eto’o’s record of 21 goals by an African player. He also equalled George Weah as the African player with the most Serie A career goal with 46 goals.

Napoli held on to their point at the Dacia Arena in Udine to win a first league title since Diego Maradona achieved the feat for them in 1990. It was also their third league crown ever, and they have sealed the title with five games to spare in the league. They succeed AC Milan as league champions, becoming the fourth side to win the league in four seasons.