Europa League : Chukwueze sparkles as Villarreal claim slender lead over Arsenal

Published: April 29, 2021

It's advantage Villarreal at the end of the first leg of their Europa League semifinal following their 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Thursday night.

Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze went the full ninety and looked lively especially towards the end of the second half.

Villarreal drew first blood through Manuel Trigueros, with Chukwueze involved in the build-up to the fifth minute opener.

The Super Eagles winger cut inside, and although he was dispossessed, the ball dropped for Trigueros who fired a shot past goalkeeper Leno.

Raul Albiol doubled the advantage half an hour in, the Spain defender firing home an unstoppable shot from close range as the Gunners failed to deal with a corner.

Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe gave Arsenal a lifeline when he converted a penalty after Bukayo Saka was fouled in the box in the 73rd minute.

Both teams had a player sent off for a second bookable offense - Daniel Ceballos for Arsenal in the 57th minute and also Etienne Capoue for Villarreal with ten minutes remaining.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : uefa.com

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