Osimhen fires Napoli into first-ever Champions League Quarterfinals

Victor Osimhen played a key role for Napoli as they defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 to secure a place in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. The Italian league leaders claimed a dominant 5-0 aggregate win over their German opposition.

After claiming a 2-0 win in the first leg in Germany, Napoli were favourites to finish the job at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

After a tense opening period in which Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp repeatedly denied Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Napoli took the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Italian winger Matteo Politano received a fine pass from Stanislav Lobotka on the right flank before standing up a cross into the box. The towering Osimhen leapt higher than anyone else and directed the ball into the far corner of the net with a brilliant header.

Eight minutes into the second half, Napoli’s main man struck again. Good interplay between Politano and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo ended with the right-back crossing into the six yard box where Osimhen was waiting to slide home his fourth Champions League goal of the season and his 23rd in all competitions. He also became the first Nigerian to score more than once in a Champions League knockout game.

Napoli sealed the result in the 64th minute when midfielder Piotr Zielinski added his name to the scoresheet from the penalty spot. The Poland international had been upended in the penalty box before picking himself up and scoring.

Osimhen was withdrawn from the match in the 82nd minute, with Argentine striker Giovanni Simeone sent on in his place. The Serie A side held on for the win and clean sheet, sending them into the quarterfinals of the competition for the first time in the history of the club.