- Here is EaglesTracker's highlight of the most notable performances of Nigerian footballers in cup games for their respective European clubs on Thursday, January 18, 2023.
Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman was one of the best players on the pitch as Atalanta secured a 5-2 win to dump Spezia out of the Coppa Italia.
Lookman netted a brace, Atalanta's first two goals of the encounter, two minutes apart - in the 10th and 12th minute - to set the Goddess on the path to victory.
Further Atalanta goals from Hans Hateboer, Rasmus Hojlund, and Ethan Ampadu's own goal ensured both of Spezia's strikes were mere consolation efforts.
Samuel Chukwueze's fine run in the Copa del Rey has ended after Villarreal suffered a 2-3 defeat to Real Madrid.
Chukwueze had been superb in the Copa this season, registering three goals and two assists in only three games for the Yellow Submarines.
And against Real Madrid, the Nigerian international grabbed his fourth goal in the competition, smashing a fine volley into the roof of the net after Gerard Moreno's dinked pass found him in the box.
Chukwueze's 42nd-minute goal made it two-nil for Villarreal as Etienne Capoue had given the side an early lead with an excellent finish.
But Villarreal crumbled after the break allowing Real Madrid to score three goals and complete a remarkable comeback.
In Turkey, new Super Eagles defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel suffered an injury in the 81st minute of Fenerbahce's narrow 2-1 win over Rizespor in the Turkiye Cup.
But goals from Miha Zajc and Enner Valencia sandwiched Rizespor's only strike to see Fenerbahce advance to the next round of the competition.
At the King Fahd International Stadium in Saudi Arabia, Odion Ighalo was an unused substitute as Al Nasr & Al Hilal All Stars succumbed to a 4-5 loss at the hands of PSG.
Al Nasr & Al Hilal All Stars preferred Moussa Marega and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack with the former Manchester United star scoring twice in the first half.
PSG, though, secured a fine win after firing five goals past their hosts with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe both getting on the scoresheet and Neymar missing a penalty.
