Conference League : Chukwueze makes history with Villarreal, Slavia's Usor also on target

Samuel Chukwueze opened his goalscoring account for the 2022-2023 campaign as Villarreal defeated Chidozie Awaziem's Hajduk Split 2-0 at Stadion Poljud on Thursday night to advance to the group stage of the Europa Conference League.

The Super Eagles winger, with a strike from outside the box, doubled the Yellow Submarine's lead ten minutes into the second half, after Alfonso Pedraza broke the deadlock in the 37th minute.

Prior to the trip to Split, Chukweze's other goal involvements in the new season were assists he registered against Hajduk Split in the first leg of the Conference League playoff and Real  Valladolid on the opening day of La Liga.

Villarreal made history following the win against Hajduk Split by becoming the first Spanish team to qualify for the group stage of the Europa Conference League.

The team coached by Unai Emery would have represented Spain in last season's Conference League but earned a place in the Champions League instead after winning the Europa League.

Elsewhere, Czech Republic side Salvia Prague will play in the group stage of a European competition for the sixth season in a row after beating RKS Raków Čenstochová 3-2 on aggregate.

One of Nigeria's standout players in the new season, Moses Usor took his goal involvement to six (5 goals, 1 assist) in all competitions after getting on the scoresheet in the 62nd minute.

The 20-year-old found the net from close range after he was left unmarked by the RKS Raków Čenstochová defence - a goal that sent the game to extra-time.

There was no need for penalties as Schranz scored the second goal in the last minute of extra-time.

Slavia's Super Eagles star Peter Olayinka came off the bench in the 55th minute, while Usor subbed out at minute 77.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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