Ademola Lookman Earns Atletico Madrid UEFA Champions League Spot

Nigerian winger, Ademola Lookman fired Atletico Madrid back into the UEFA Champions League with a decisive penalty in a 2-1 win over Osasuna at Estadio El Sadar on Wednesday night, May 12.

The result guarantees Diego Simeone’s side a top-four finish in La Liga with two matches still to play.

Ademola Lookman ended a lean spell in front of goal by converting from the spot after defender Javi Galán handled the ball inside the area in the 11th minute.

A VAR check confirmed the offence, and the Nigerian calmly struck home in the 15th minute, notching his eighth league goal of the campaign.

The forward delivered a lively display throughout, winning three fouls, completing every dribble and claiming five of seven ground duels.

He scored from his only shot on target and posted an expected goals figure of 0.79, while completing 15 of 19 passes. His passing in the opposition half reached 90 per cent accuracy as Atletico managed the game after taking the lead.

The goal arrived at a crucial moment for Lookman, who had gone quiet in recent weeks despite scoring during Atletico’s Champions League quarter-final triumph over Barcelona and finding the net in the Copa del Rey final defeat to Real Sociedad.

He also drew blanks across both legs against Arsenal and in the recent league loss to Celta Vigo.

The victory lifts Atletico to 66 points, six clear of fifth-placed Real Betis and three behind third-placed Villarreal.

Ademola Lookman now has eight goals and three assists in 23 league appearances this season. Atletico host Girona on Sunday before closing the campaign away at Villarreal on May 24.