Chukwueze strikes to decide dramatic affair against Okoye’s Udinese

Published on by Akawor Chichetam

AC Milan’s thrilling encounter with Udinese promised excitement, and it delivered from the get-go with Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze the star of the match.

Early on, the Nigerian player seized the moment to break his personal drought in spectacular fashion, scoring against his compatriot, Maduka Okoye, at San Siro.

Yet, what started as a triumphant night quickly descended into drama for the Rossoneri, with a nerve-wracking twist in the dying minutes.

Chukwueze strikes to decide dramatic affair against Okoye's Udinese
Photo by Icon Sport

After a concerning injury scare during the international break, Samuel Chukwueze returned to Milan ahead of schedule, fully fit and eager to make an impact.

And when Milan faced Udinese, the Nigerian winger did not disappoint. He netted his first goal of the season with a composed finish in the 13th minute, capitalising on a well-timed assist from Christian Pulisic.

Though Chukwueze’s opener put Milan on the front foot, bad luck soon struck when Tijjani Reijnders was shown a red card just 16 minutes later, reducing Milan to ten men.

Samuel Chukwueze’s key role as Milan edge Udinese

Despite the setback, Milan held their own, and the Nigerian international nearly doubled his tally before halftime, only for his effort to be thwarted by Udinese’s last-ditch defending.

Chukwueze’s contribution was more than just his goal, as he recorded 29 touches, three shots, and six key moments inside the opposition’s box, in addition to recovering possession three times.

His promising display ended in the 88th minute when he was replaced by Fikayo Tomori.

Chukwueze strikes to decide dramatic affair against Okoye's Udinese
Photo by Icon Sport

Late drama ensued in injury time when Udinese’s Christian Kabasele thought he had snatched an equaliser.

However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside, allowing Milan to escape with a crucial 1-0 victory.

The result lifted Milan to third place in the Serie A standings, as they look to carry this momentum into their upcoming Champions League clash against Club Brugge.

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Akawor Chichetam

Akawor Chichetam is a dedicated sports journalist with a passion for football, both as a player and as a writer.

A proud member of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Chichetam has made significant contributions to renowned media platforms, including Elegbete TV, Footballrover, and Football411.

Known for insightful commentary and engaging content, Akawor brings a unique perspective to the world of sports journalism, combining a love for the game with a deep understanding of its details.