Super Eagles stars Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey were the headline performers for Nigerians abroad on Sunday, with Lookman impressing in Atletico Madrid’s tense derby win over Real Madrid and Bassey inspiring Fulham to a valuable point against Manchester United.
At the Metropolitano, Lookman came off the bench to help Atletico secure a 2-1 victory in the heated Madrid Derby. The forward replaced Alex Baena in the 65th minute and operated from the left flank for 25 minutes plus stoppage time as Diego Simeone’s men protected their lead.
Atletico had raced ahead through an Alejandro Grimaldo penalty and a strike from Jonathan David, before Antonio Rüdiger pulled one back for Real in the 89th minute. Lookman’s direct running and work rate were crucial in seeing out the win.
The victory took Atletico to 16 points, while Real dropped to fourth with 15. Lookman has now made seven LaLiga appearances this season with one goal.
In England, Calvin Bassey led from the back as Fulham held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage. The defender started alongside compatriot Alex Iwobi and played all 90 minutes.
Bassey was at the heart of the opener in the 63rd minute when his shot was deflected in by Lisandro Martinez and recorded as an own goal. Manchester United equalised late through Matheus Cunha in the 89th minute to deny Fulham all three points.
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Iwobi featured for 71 minutes before being replaced by Cesar Palacios. Both Bassey and Iwobi have now featured in all five of Fulham’s Premier League games this season. The point leaves Fulham on two points from five matches.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Gift Orban continued his blistering form in Turkey, scoring and assisting to lift Amedspor to the top of the Süper Lig with a 3-2 win over Besiktas. Orban opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a superb long-range effort and set up Dia Saba for the second in the 22nd minute. He now has seven goals and two assists in six league games.
Ibrahim Olawoyin also got on the scoresheet as Rizespor drew 2-2 away at Göztepe, netting his first goal of the season.
