Victor Osimhen produced a spectacular goal as Napoli defeated Roma to extend their unbeaten streak to 11 games in all competitions.
With 10 minutes remaining, the Nigerian outmuscled Chris Smalling for a long ball before dazzling Rui Patricio with a half-volley from a tight angle.
The team led by Luciano Spalletti is three points ahead of AC Milan.
During the game against Roma, the chances belonged to the visitors, even though the video assistant referee reversed a penalty awarded to them.
In the first half, Tanguy Ndombele was hauled down by Patricio, who should have been awarded a penalty. However, after contacting VAR and viewing the action once more on the pitchside monitor, the referee changed his mind.
Before the half-time, the Roma goalkeeper denied Hirving Lozano twice, and Osimhen, making his first start in six weeks, drags a shot just wide.
The top five leagues in Europe still have only Napoli, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain as unbeaten teams.
Roma, under Jose Mourinho, who failed to get a shot on goal against Napoli, are still in fifth place in Serie A.
With a 2-0 victory earlier on Sunday, Lazio passed Atalanta to take over third place.
After Mattia Zaccagni headed in Pedro’s cross, Maurizio Sarri’s group went up. Felipe Anderson’s potent effort from the edge of the box added a second goal.
In the waning seconds of the game, Atalanta’s Luis Muriel was dismissed for receiving a second booking. With a win, Atalanta might have temporarily tied the top team on points.
Victor Osimhen
Victor James Osimhen, a striker for Serie A side Napoli and the Nigerian national team, was born in Nigeria on December 29, 1998.
Osimhen, a Nigerian-born player, started his senior career in Germany in 2017 with VfL Wolfsburg. After spending a season and a half with the team, he moved on loan to Charleroi in Belgium in 2018–19 before joining Lille in France. Osimhen moved to Serie A team Napoli in 2020 for a club-record €70 million.
In the 2021–22 season, he was named the Best Young Player in Serie A.
In 2015, Osimhen was given the FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Boot award, in a tournament which Nigeria won. He participated in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and made his senior international debut in June 2017.
How Victor Osimhen’s goal broke record at Napoli
In all competitions, Napoli has won 11 straight games just once since 1930, and Osimhen secured a continuation of this stunning run 10 minutes from stoppage time, rendering Roma winless against the Azzurri since November 2019.
The Azzurri supporters were eager to see the Nigerian, who had scored in Napoli’s 4-2 triumph against Ajax and 3-2 defeat over Bologna, continue this outstanding run.
His perseverance paid off in the end as he scored the game-winning goal, his fifth of the season and fourth in Serie A, after making numerous solid runs without receiving much help.
Victor Osimhen Stats
Osimhen has participated in 6 games in the 2022–23 Italian Serie A season (plus 1 as a sub). He has taken 25 shots, 9 of which have been on goal, and he has scored 4 goals (5.74 xG).
He has one assist and makes an average of 12 passes per game, with a pass completion percentage of 75%.
Osimhen has appeared in one game during UEFA Champions League 2022–23. (plus 1 as a sub). Only two of his five total shots have been on goal, and he has only one goal (2.22 xG).
The Nigerian averages 6 passes per game, completes them 82% of the time, and does not provide any assists in the Champions League so far this season.
The “King of Naples,” who may have been hindered by injuries, is now back to full strength after scoring three goals in as many games. Osimhen now appears prepared to continue guiding Napoli as they challenge on numerous fronts with 90 minutes already under his belt.
