Back with a bang: Victor Osimhen scores on return as Napoli book UCL Round of 16 place

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen marked his return from injury with a goal after the injury which left him ruled out for over a month. The striker found the net as his side won 4-2 at home to Ajax in their UEFA Champions League clash.

Having returned to training this week, Osimhen was named on the bench by manager Luciano Spalleti, with the in-form Giacomo Raspadori handed a start instead. The first leg ended with a 6-1 drubbing of the Dutch champions at home.

The Partenopei went in front after only four minutes through Mexican winger Hirving Lozano before Raspadori added his name to the scoresheet only 12 minutes later. It was the Italian striker’s fourth goal in the competition in only three appearances this season.

Ajax pulled one back shortly after the resumption of hostilities in the second half after a brilliant cross from Calvin Bassey was emphatically headed home by Davy Klaassen in the 49th minute of the encounter. Osimhen was introduced for Raspadori immediately after the goal.

The home side restored their two-goal advantage in the 62nd minute as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored from the penalty spot to make it 3-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Ajax set up a nervy end to the match after Brian Brobbey was pulled to the ground by Juan Jesus in the Napoli penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick. Steven Bergwijn stepped up to dispatch the penalty in the 83rd minute of the clash.

After seeing two goals ruled out for offside earlier in the half, Osimhen finally got his name on the scoresheet in the 89th minute thanks to his persistence. Daley Blind showed hesitation as he received a pass inside his own box, and with the Nigerian striker snapping at his heels, lost possession of the ball.

Osimhen took the ball off him and simply rolled it into the back of the unguarded net before wheeling away in celebration.

https://vimeo.com/759650953
Osimhen goal

Napoli have booked their place in the Round of 16 of the competition with two games to spare after four wins from four. Ajax face two crunch ties against Liverpool and Rangers if they are to qualify for the knockout rounds.