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Iheanacho breaks Boro duck, Okwuchuwku hits debut goal, Dessers strikes dramatic Rangers winner

2 days ago
by naijaonpoint
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Kelechi Iheanacho opened his Middlesbrough goal tally in style, scoring in their hard-fought 2-1 Championship victory over Oxford United on Saturday, Footynaija.com reports.

Despite controlling possession, Middlesbrough found themselves trailing in the 38th minute when Michal Helik stunned the Riverside crowd with a well-taken finish against the run of play. The visitors held onto their advantage heading into the break, leaving Boro with work to do.

The hosts responded swiftly after halftime, with January arrival Samuel Illing-Junior making an immediate impact. The former Juventus winger combined with Iheanacho, who calmly slotted home in the 48th minute to restore parity.

With the game heading for a draw, Middlesbrough pressed forward and found their breakthrough in the 80th minute. Illing-Junior turned provider once more, delivering an inch-perfect cross for Neto Borges to rifle home the winner, sealing all three points for Michael Carrick’s men.

The victory lifts Middlesbrough to seventh place with 57 points from 39 games, while Oxford sit 19th with 42 points.

Okwuchukwu nets dream debut goal but Marta’s penalty sinks San Diego

Nigerian youngster Chiamaka Okwuchukwu made an electrifying start to her National Women’s Super League career, scoring just 108 seconds into her debut.

However, her early heroics weren’t enough as San Diego Wave fell 2-1 to Orlando Pride on Saturday.

Following a goalless first half, Orlando Pride took the lead in the 50th minute through Haley Hanson. San Diego responded with a triple substitution, introducing Okwuchukwu, Kimmi Ascanio, and Melanie Barcenas.

Barely seconds later, Okwuchukwu announced herself in stunning fashion, meeting Kenza Dali’s pinpoint cross with a thumping header to make it 1-1.

However, just as it seemed a draw was on the cards, Orlando’s legendary forward Marta had the final say. A late VAR review handed the hosts a penalty, and the Brazilian icon coolly converted with a panenka to secure all three points.

Okwuchukwu’s debut strike ranks as the second-fastest goal by a player in their NWSL regular-season debut, trailing only Ebony Salmon’s 55-second record in 2021.

Dessers completes stunning Rangers fightback in seven-goal thriller

Cyriel Dessers delivered the decisive blow as Rangers pulled off a sensational comeback, securing a 4-3 victory over Dundee in a Scottish Premiership showdown packed with drama.

With the match finely poised at 3-3, Dessers capitalized on a defensive blunder in the dying moments, firing home with a clinical finish to spark wild celebrations among the travelling support.

The thrilling win keeps Rangers’ title hopes alive, moving them to 65 points from 31 games, though they remain 13 points behind league leaders Celtic. Dundee, meanwhile, sit 11th with 31 points.

Forest edge Brighton on penalties to reach FA Cup semi-final

Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi played pivotal roles as Nottingham Forest edged Brighton in a dramatic penalty shootout to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

With Chris Wood injured, Awoniyi led the line for Forest, while Aina slotted straight back into the starting XI after international duty with Nigeria.

Despite numerous chances, neither side could break the deadlock in regulation or extra time, forcing a tense penalty shootout — Forest’s third consecutive in the competition.

Both teams converted their first two spot-kicks, but goalkeeper Mats Sels emerged as the hero, producing two crucial saves to deny Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez.

Although Neco Williams missed for Forest, successful conversions from Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates secured a 4-3 shootout victory, sending Forest into the last four of the competition.

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