Maduka Okoye on Saturday inspired Udinese to their first Serie A win of the season with a brilliant performance that sealed a 2-1 victory over Lazio, delighting the home fans.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who recently extended his contract until 2028, was the hero of the match, making three critical saves that secured all three points for his team at the Bluenergy Stadium, Footballrover reports.
Despite Lazio dominating possession, with 17 goal attempts and five shots on target compared to Udinese’s eight attempts and three shots on goal, Okoye stood tall, ensuring his team held onto their precious lead.
Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru also featured in the match, starting but being substituted in the 60th minute for Senegalese forward Boulaye Dia.
Udinese entered the game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Bologna in their season opener.
Lorenzo Lucca wasted no time, putting the home side ahead just five minutes into the match.
Florian Thauvin doubled the lead four minutes into the second half, giving Udinese a strong advantage.
Il capitano per il raddoppio!!! 🤩🔥
The captain doubles our advantage 🎯#UdineseLazio 2-0⚪️⚫️ #ForzaUdinese #AlèUdin #Udinese #SerieAEniLive pic.twitter.com/YjU3lm9Bf1
— Udinese Calcio (@Udinese_1896) August 24, 2024
However, the game took a huge twist in the 68th minute when Hassane Kamara was sent off after receiving his second yellow card.
Lazio capitalised on their numerical advantage and managed to pull one back in the 95th minute through Gustav Isaksen, but it was too little, too late.
Udinese held on for a hard-fought victory.
Bellissima vittoria davanti ai nostri tifosi 🤍🖤 ➕3️⃣
Victory in our first home game of the season! ❤️#UdineseLazio 2-1⚽️ 7’ Lucca
⚽️ 50’ Thauvin
⚽️ 95’ Isaksen⚪️⚫️ #ForzaUdinese #AlèUdin #Udinese #SerieAEniLive pic.twitter.com/uvX89VIMOR
— Udinese Calcio (@Udinese_1896) August 24, 2024
With this win under their belts, Maduka Okoye and his teammates can now settle down to prepare for their next challenge: a home game against newly-promoted Como at the Bluenergy Stadium on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in another Serie A clash on Saturday, Samuel Chukwueze had a brief cameo, playing just four minutes for AC Milan after replacing Christian Pulisic in the 86th minute.
Unfortunately, Milan suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Parma.
Despite dominating at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, it was Parma who struck first through Dennis Man.
Pulisic managed to level the score for Milan, but Matteo Cancellieri’s late strike secured the win for the home side.
Milan, now winless in two league games with just one point after a 2-2 draw against Torino, find themselves languishing in 16th place in the standings
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