Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench and scored to help AC Milan secure a UEFA Europa League place after a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
Chukwueze who joined AC Milan from Villarreal has been struggling to get more playing time with the Italian Serie A club.
However, he delivered when he was needed but his goal was not enough to hand AC Milan a knockout stage ticket.
It was drama in Group F as three teams stood the chance of getting the second group ticket after Dortmund has secured it’s qualifications.
Newcastle was on its way to the round of 16 at one stage during the suspenseful finale to Group F, thanks to Joelinton’s rasping first-half drive, while Paris St. Germain was losing in Germany to Borussia Dortmund.
However, the seven-time winners Milan outperformed Newcastle in the second half as the latter ran out of gas. Christian Pulisic’s equaliser for the Serie A team came on the hour mark after an assist from Olivier Giroud.
Rafael Leao struck the post at the other end after Milan keeper Mike Maignan parried a drive from Bruno Guimaraes as both teams went for the win.
Chukwueze stunned the home crowd by looping home to secure Milan’s victory with a superb counterattack.
Milan will have to settle for a Europa League spot for finishing third, while Newcastle will be eliminated from Europe after finishing last, thanks to PSG’s dramatic 1-1 draw with group winners Dortmund.
