Nigerian striker Chrisantus Uche made an immediate impact in his La Liga debut, scoring a crucial equalizer for Getafe in their 1-1 draw against Athletic Club in the opening fixture of the 2024/2025 season.
The 21-year-old striker, who played the full 90 minutes, showcased his talent on the Spanish topflight stage, denying the hosts all three points at the iconic San Mamés stadium.
The match began with Athletic Bilbao dominating possession and looking to assert their authority on home soil. Their persistence paid off in the 27th minute when Oihan Sancet found the back of the net, giving Bilbao the lead.
The early goal put Getafe on the back foot, but Uche and his teammates remained resilient, biding their time for an opportunity to strike back.
Getafe’s patience was rewarded in the 64th minute when Uche delivered a moment of brilliance. The young Nigerian forward pounced on a loose ball inside the box, demonstrating composure beyond his years as he calmly slotted it past the Bilbao goalkeeper, leveling the score at 1-1. The goal marked a dream start for Uche in La Liga and was a testament to his knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Despite Bilbao’s efforts to regain the lead, Getafe’s defense held firm, with Uche’s equalizer proving enough to secure a valuable point away from home. The result is a promising start for Getafe, who will be looking to build on this performance as the season progresses.
Uche who was with fifth-division club Moralo before joining third-division side Ceuta for a reported transfer fee of 800 euros (now $877) last year, made is worth known with this one goal.
Athletic, the defending Copa del Rey champion and one of the teams considered to have an outside chance of contending at the top this season, had opened the scoring at its San Mames Stadium through Oihan Sancet in the 27th.
After the match, Uche expressed his excitement about his debut goal and the positive result for his team: “Scoring on my debut in La Liga is a fantastic feeling. I’m happy I could help the team secure a draw, and I’m looking forward to contributing more as the season goes on.” His coach, José Bordalás, also praised the young forward, noting, “Uche showed great determination and maturity today. His goal was crucial, and we are confident he will continue to be a key player for us.”
Uche’s performance has set the tone for what could be a breakout season for the Nigerian striker in La Liga.
