Iheanacho breaks goal drought as Sevilla dominate in Copa del Rey

Published on by Andrew Randa, updated on

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.

Iheanacho breaks goal drought Sevilla dominates to advance in Copa del Rey
Photo by IMAGO

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

Kelechi Iheanacho’s performance in numbers
Photo by Icon Sport

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.

Iheanacho breaks goal drought as Sevilla dominate in Copa del Rey

Andrew Randa

Andrew Randa is a veteran Nigerian sports journalist with over 20 years of experience covering the beautiful game across Africa. Andrew served as a Media Officer for Nigeria's U-20 Men's National Team for three years, offering a unique perspective on the future stars of Nigerian football.

Beyond reporting, Andrew is a pioneer in sports graphics creation within Nigeria. His expertise extends to sports kit design, making him a true multi-faceted talent in the African sports landscape.

Andrew's experience is vast, with collaborations encompassing prestigious names like Kickoff, SuperSport, the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation), and the NPFL (Nigeria Professional Football League)