Nigerian forward Rasheedat Ajibade scored her first-ever UEFA Women’s Champions League goal for Paris Saint-Germain, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 2–1 home defeat against Real Madrid on Thursday evening.
At the PSG Campus, Ajibade and fellow Super Falcons star Jennifer Echegini started for the French club in a high-tempo Group Stage clash.
Rasheedat Ajibade’s first PSG goal sparks late fightback
Real Madrid struck twice before the interval through Naomie Feller and Athenea del Castillo Redondo, putting PSG on the back foot early.
Ajibade, however, led the response after the restart.
Just 13 minutes into the second half, the 25-year-old found space at the far post and powered home Sakina Karchaoui’s teasing cross with a perfectly timed header — her first goal for PSG since joining from Atlético de Madrid in the summer.
Her finish brought the hosts back into contention and highlighted the energy, movement, and determination that have long defined her game.
It was also Ajibade’s first goal in five Champions League appearances — a personal milestone in her European journey.
While Ajibade completed the full 90 minutes, Echegini impressed for 81 minutes before being replaced by Florianne Jourde.
The result, however, leaves PSG with two straight losses in the Champions League, following their earlier 4–0 defeat to Wolfsburg.
Super Falcons trio in Champions League spotlight
Elsewhere, Christy Ucheibe featured for the entire 90 minutes in Benfica’s 2–0 defeat to defending champions Arsenal at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
Second-half goals from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo handed the Gunners their first win of the campaign.
Ucheibe — another Super Falcons regular — stood out for Benfica, displaying her composure and defensive intelligence in central defence.
The Nigerian, who joined the club as a midfielder in 2020, has since evolved into one of the most reliable centre-backs in the Portuguese league.
All three 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winners — Ajibade, Echegini, and Ucheibe — were in action on matchday two but couldn’t inspire their clubs to victory.
Still, Ajibade’s breakthrough goal offers a promising glimpse of what could come as PSG aim to reignite their European campaign.
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