Kelechi Iheanacho finally opened his scoring account for Sevilla, netting twice as they secured a 2-0 victory over Las Rozas in their Copa del Rey clash on Wednesday.
The Nigerian striker, who joined Sevilla from Leicester City, has had a challenging start in Spain, often finding himself on the bench.
However, he made a statement in this cup fixture, scoring both goals to propel his team into the next round.
Iheanacho started the game—a rare opportunity for him so far—and looked sharp from the opening whistle.
He was lively in attack, getting involved early and even opting to shoot from a promising break, drawing mixed reactions from his teammates who were hoping for a pass.
The breakthrough for Sevilla came five minutes before half-time, when Las Rozas defender Mendez turned the ball into his own net, giving the La Liga side a 1-0 lead.
The second half belonged to Iheanacho. The 28-year-old got his first goal in the 61st minute with a simple tap-in after a well-delivered cross.
Fifteen minutes later, he added a second, slotting home to seal the win and cap off a dominant performance for Sevilla.
With this brace, Iheanacho will hope to boost his confidence and earn more playing time in La Liga, where he has appeared five times without finding the net.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s performance in numbers
Iheanacho played the full 90 minutes, scoring two goals from three shots on target and one off target.
His game was marked by 37 touches, one key pass, and one successful long ball.
He created a big chance for his teammates and won his only aerial duel, although he struggled in ground duels, failing to win any of his three challenges.
This standout performance could mark a turning point for Iheanacho as he looks to establish himself further in Sevilla’s line-up and contribute to their season.