Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface netted his first-ever goal in the UEFA Champions League, sealing a vital 1-0 victory for Bayer Leverkusen against Italian giants AC Milan on Tuesday night.
Making his first appearance in the UCL at the BayArena, his decisive strike ensured Leverkusen's unbeaten run in the competition continued, solidifying their perfect start to this season's campaign.
Earlier in the match, Boniface found the back of the net in the first half, only for the goal to be ruled out after VAR's intervention.
Maiden UCL goal for Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface
Despite that setback, Boniface remained relentless, continuously threatening Milan's defence with his sharp movement and attacking prowess.
Leverkusen's persistence finally paid off in the second half. In the 51st minute, Jeremie Frimpong's shot was blocked by AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Magnain, but Boniface was on hand to tuck in the rebound to give his team the lead.
His energy and presence were a constant menace for Milan’s defenders, who struggled to contain the Nigerian forward.
Boniface's tireless performance came to an end when he was substituted in the 75th minute, with Martin Terrier coming on to replace him.
By then, Boniface had done enough to secure the win for Leverkusen.
Meanwhile, another Nigerian international, Samuel Chukwueze, who plays for AC Milan, came off the bench as a substitute.
He replaced Christian Pulisic in the 80th minute but couldn't turn the tide for the Italian side, who were left searching for answers as time ran out.
Victor Boniface vs. AC Milan: By the Numbers
The 23-year-old Nigerian striker was on the pitch for 75 minutes, scoring one goal and having another disallowed by VAR.
He was a constant threat, with 34 touches throughout the game, including three shots on target.
Boniface also impressed with his dribbling, successfully completing two out of his four dribble attempts.
However, his passing was less precise, with eight out of 19 attempts finding their target, resulting in a 42 percent success rate.
In terms of duels, Boniface won the only aerial battle he contested and emerged victorious in three out of seven ground duels.
He also contributed defensively, registering one tackle before being substituted.
Boniface's overall performance was a key factor in Leverkusen's triumph, underlining his growing influence in Europe's top competition.
