Matchday Report: Iheanacho, Aribo advance in the FA Cup; Oshoala, Chukwueze excel in Spain

• EaglesTracker brings you the rundown of matches involving Nigerian footballers across Europe on Saturday, January 8, 2023.

The English FA Cup

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho ended a run of four months without when he netted the winner for Leicester City in the Foxes' 1-0 triumph at Gillingham. Compatriot, Wilfred Ndidi was introduced in the second half of the encounter.

Iheanacho's effort, though, proved sufficient to see Brendan Rodgers' men advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup where they will meet Newcastle United.

At Selhurst Park in London, Joe Aribo was in the starting lineup for Southampton as the Saints edged Crystal Palace to a 2-1 win.

Over at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye's first-ever appearance in the FA Cup ended in disappointment as Watford suffered a 2-0 loss at Reading. Super Eagles Vice captain, Troost-Ekong also featured for the Hornets but could not help the visitors avoid crashing out of the world's oldest cup competition.

In the absence of injured Taiwo Awoniyi, manager Steve Cooper deployed fellow Nigerian striker, Emmanuel Dennis in attack but it did not stop Nottingham Forest from falling to a humbling 4-1 defeat away at Blackpool. Former Flying Eagles defender, Malvin Ekpiteta was among the goal scorers for Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

Freddie Ladapo scored once and also won a penalty in Ipswich’s 4-1 victory over his former side, Rotherham United.

Super Eagles defender, Semi Ajayi started for West Brom in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Chesterfield.

Spanish La Liga

In the La Liga Femenina, Super Falcons captain, Asisat Oshoala put in a fine performance as Barcelona dispatched Toni Payne's Sevilla 4-0 at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Oshoala scored Barcelona's opening goal and laid on the assist for the second before Salma Paralluelo's second-half brace completed the rout.

In La Liga Santander, Samuel Chukwueze was in fine-form from start to finish as Villarreal punctured Real Madrid's title charge, with a 2-1 triumph at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

Italian Serie A

A late Danilo goal was all Juventus needed to shoot down Isaac Success' Udinese at the Allianz Stadium.  Success played the opening 70 minutes before he was replaced by 2021 Super Eagles invitee, Kingsley Ehizibue.

Coupe de France

Nigeria international Moses Simon only played the first half of Nantes' 2-0 win over Vire in a Coupe de France clash at the Stade Michel d'Ornano in Caen.

But goals from Mostafa Mohamed and Guessand were enough to lift the Ligue 1 side to the next round of the competition.

Super Eagles striker, Josh Maja also scored as Bordeaux fell to a 1-2 defeat against Stade Renaiss.