Sevilla’s Adams overtakes Super Eagles great on Nigeria’s all-time La Liga goalscorers chart

Sevilla striker Akor Adams delivered one of the biggest moments of his career on Saturday after scoring a dramatic late winner in a tense 2-1 victory over RCD Espanyol at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, Afrik-Foot reports.

The goal did more than hand Sevilla three valuable points in their battle to stay clear of relegation trouble in La Liga. It also pushed the Nigerian forward into ninth place on the list of Nigeria’s all-time leading scorers in the Spanish top flight.

Adams’ strike was his ninth La Liga goal since arriving in Spain, moving him past former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins, who scored seven league goals during his time with Levante.

In a season filled with pressure and inconsistency for Sevilla, Adams once again proved decisive. The 26-year-old came off the bench late in the second half and needed only one clear sight of goal to settle a chaotic contest that swung wildly in the closing minutes.

The match itself started unusually, with kick-off delayed by around 10 minutes because of technical problems involving VAR. Once play began, Sevilla started brightly in front of a nervous home crowd. Nemanja Gudelj tested former Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic early on after good work from Neal Maupay, while Sevilla players also appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty after a challenge on Ruben Vargas.

Despite Sevilla’s pressure, the game lacked rhythm for long spells. Passes went astray, challenges flew in and both sides struggled to control midfield.

Espanyol slowly grew into the contest and nearly punished Sevilla when Edu Exposito forced an important save from goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Akor Adams changes the story again

The second half followed a familiar pattern for Sevilla supporters; frustration, tension and then late drama. Veteran forward Alexis Sanchez thought he had given the hosts the lead shortly after the restart, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside.

That setback seemed to shake Sevilla. Espanyol took advantage and struck first when Irish forward Jake O’Brien Dolan finished smartly from close range after a dangerous delivery from the right. The away side suddenly looked set to end their miserable run of form.

But Sevilla refused to collapse. Defender Andres Castrin dragged them level in the 82nd minute with a determined solo effort, bursting into the penalty area before squeezing his shot beyond Dmitrovic.

With seven minutes of added time announced, both sides pushed desperately for a winner. Sevilla manager Luis Garcia Plaza had introduced Adams from the bench after limiting his minutes in recent matches, and the Nigerian repaid that trust at the perfect moment.

Alexis won possession near the edge of the box, with the ball falling into Adams’ path. The striker reacted instantly, guiding a firm finish into the corner to send the Sánchez-Pizjuán into celebration.

The goal was massive for Sevilla’s survival hopes, but it also carried personal significance for Adams. His rise into Nigeria’s La Liga scoring top 10 places him alongside some of the country’s most respected names abroad, including Finidi George, Ikechukwu Uche, Mutiu Adepoju and Odion Ighalo.

Christopher Ohenhen remains Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in La Liga’s history with 48 goals. The former SD Compostela man is followed by Ikechukwu Uche and Finidi George, both with 43 goals. Kalu Uche (33 goals), Mutiu Adepoju (22), Samuel Chukwueze (21), Umar Sadiq (14) and Odion Ighalo (13) are the only other Nigerians ahead of Adams.

Considering this is only his first full season in Spain, Adams’ progress has been impressive. With Sevilla still facing difficult fixtures against Villarreal CF, Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo before the end of the campaign, the club will hope their Nigerian striker can continue delivering defining moments when they matter most.