Lookman goal seals UCL spot for Atletico Madrid

Ademola Lookman scored the opening goal as Atletico Madrid secured qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Osasuna at the Estadio El Sadar on Wednesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Nigeria international ended a quiet spell in front of goal by converting a first-half penalty to set Diego Simeone’s side on their way to a crucial win that mathematically guaranteed a top-four finish in La Liga.

Lookman’s decisive contribution came after Osasuna defender Javi Galán handled the ball inside the penalty area in the 11th minute.

Following a VAR review, Atletico were awarded a penalty and the forward calmly converted with a right-footed strike in the 15th minute for his eighth goal for the Rojiblancos.

The 28-year-old remained influential throughout the contest, winning three fouls, completing all his dribble attempts and winning five of his seven ground duels.

He finished the match with one goal from his only shot on target, posting an expected goals value of 0.79 while also recording 15 successful passes from 19 attempts at 79 per cent accuracy.

Lookman completed 90 per cent of his passes in the opposition half and registered 10 carries with a total progression distance of 32.6 metres as Atletico managed the game effectively after taking the lead.

The Nigerian forward had struggled for attacking returns in recent weeks despite scoring in Atletico’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg aggregate victory over Barcelona and netting in their Copa del Rey final defeat to Real Sociedad.

He failed to register a goal contribution in both legs against Arsenal as well as Atletico’s recent 1-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo, but returned to form at a crucial stage of the campaign with the Madrid club under pressure to secure Champions League football.

The victory moved Atletico to 66 points, six ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis with two games remaining, while they also sit three points behind third-placed Villarreal.

With eight goals and three assists in 23 matches this season, the former African Footballer of the Year will now hope to finish the campaign strongly when Atletico host Girona on Sunday before ending their season away to Villarreal on May 24.

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