Athletico Madrid defeated Nigeria in the GOTV cup final.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria yesterday played the current Europa League Champions, Athletico Madrid in the final of the GOTV friendly cup which was played at the God’swill Akpabio stadium in Akwa Ibom.

The Spanish giants were given a very warm welcome as they arrived in Nigeria for the game.

GOTV ambassadors and the Nigeria Football Federation said that the game against the Spanish side came right in time as they hope on developing the national league players and give them more experience. The players who represented Nigeria in the game were players picked from the Nigerian league and few other players from Europe.

The national team head coach, Gernot Rohr was in the stands as his assistant, Saliu Yusuf took charge of the coaching activities in the touchline. Other players of the national team, the likes of Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho cheered from the stands as they watch the junior eagles play.
Among the players who featured for the Spanish side are Fernando Torres.

The former Liverpool striker was given a standing ovation as he was jugging on the touch line. Fernando Torres gained his popularity among the Nigerian fans during his spell in the English Premier League as he played for both Chelsea and Liverpool.

He was the star man of the match as the fans applaud him and he returned the favor as he waved to the spectators. Fernando Torres was of course the most popular figure in the pitch but other first team players for the Spanish side were also in action. The likes of Gabi, Kelvin Gameiro, Juanfran and Jan Oblak were part of the team who flew from Spain to represent the Spanish side in the GOTV cup.

Antoine Griezmann was missing from the team as he traveled with France in preparation of the world cup.

Diego Simone was in the touch line as he always do. The coach dished out instructions to his side as they contend with the home team.

MATCH SUMMARY.

Diego Simone fielded some youngsters in his starting eleven, actually giving them to shine as the likes of Fernando Torres and Gabi started from the bench. Among the superstars in the Athletico Madrid’s starting eleven were the first choice goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, Juanfran, Correa, Kelvin Gamiero and vitolo.

In the Nigerian side, former Nigeria under 17 winner and Manchester City youth player, Kelechi Nwakali played the full 90 minutes alongside his elder brother.

The referee blew his whistle as the game commenced. The Super Eagles took control of the game as they possessed the ball and took the game to the Spanish giants. The Super Eagles tossed the ball around the field as the visitors were approaching the game calmly.
Athletico Madrid’s defender, Montero was the stumbling block as the defender blocked off a shot which was goal bound from a Nigerian striker. The defender made some key interceptions as the Super Eagles tried to capitalize on his inexperience.

The Spanish side continued in their calm approach as they dissolve the attacks by the home side In the early minute of the game.
Montero was given a yellow card by the referee in the 24th minute as he fouled a Super Eagles attacker just outside the 18-yard box.
As the Super Eagles continued to press for the opener, the Madrid’s side struggled to find their foot on the game as the Super Eagles tossed the ball around them.

Kelechi Nwakali gave the Super Eagles the lead in the 31st minute as he fires In a shot past Jan Oblak right at the edge of the 18-yard box as the Eagles finally scored the first goal after some series of attacks.

The goal boosted the confidence of the Super Eagles as they played with the 1-0 lead in the back of their mind. At this point of the game, after the goal, the Spanish side shared equal possession with the Super Eagles as they hope to find an equalizer before the end of the half time.

The equalizer wasn’t far away as the Athletico Madrid side capitalized on the Super Eagles attack as they launch in a super fast counter attack with a through pass from a defender to Correa and he slots it past the keeper in the 34th minute.

It was leveed and the possession was shared between the teams but it was the home side who missed another opportunity to go ahead in the game as the shot of Chinedu Nwakali was saved the outstanding Jan Oblak.
The first half ended as the Super Eagles side played fantastic and entertaining football and the Spanish side also showing their capabilities with a quick responds to the goal they conceded in the 31st minute.

Both teams head off to their locker rooms as they strategized on the second half. Diego Simone made some changes to his side as Jan Oblak was replaced by the young and promising keeper, Werner. Solano also came in for Juanfran, Vitolo came in for Carro, Jota came in for Moya and finally the one everyone was waiting for, Fernando Torres came in for Montero.

The fans applauded as Fernando Torres played his first game in Nigeria. The Spanish side approach the second half with more intent to win and it worked out fine for them as they pressed forward with he pace of Moreno as Torres played the center striker’s role.
Kelvin Gamiero was replaced by Moreno in the 60th minute as Diego Simone intends on forcing a goal in with the attacking changes he made.
The attacking changes paid off as Fernando puts the visitors in front in the 63rd minute as he nods in nods home from a corner kick. The Super Eagles defense left such a dangerous striker alone in the box and he punished them with a powerful header.

The Super Eagles, after several attacks finally got their equalizer in the 79th minute as Usman dribbles past two defenders as he slots it calmly into the net.
The Spanish giants wasted no time as they got their equalizer in the 85th minute through a blinding shot by Moreno and the lead was restored.

The Super eagles tried a come back but the visitors defended very well and even got a yellow card for a reckless challenge in the 88th minute.

The final whistle was blown and it was the Spanish giants who heads back to Spain ith the GOTV cup as the Super Eagles were defeated 3-2 in full time by a  more experienced side.