Camiel Neghli marked his return from injury in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, scoring the decisive goal in Millwall’s 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the English Championship.
The Dutch-Algerian midfielder, who joined Millwall during the winter transfer window, had been sidelined with an ankle injury since early March, missing seven consecutive fixtures.
Eager to make up for lost time, he was named among the substitutes for the crucial clash and entered the fray in the 58th minute alongside fellow returnee Folarin Azeez.
Just seven minutes after stepping onto the pitch, Neghli delivered a moment of brilliance that ultimately settled the contest. Starting a counterattack from the centre circle, he surged forward and released Azeez down the right flank.
The winger’s delivery into the box was partially cleared by the Middlesbrough defence, but only as far as Neghli, who had continued his run into the penalty area.
Positioned near the spot, he struck the dropping ball first-time with a crisp volley, leaving the goalkeeper no chance.
It was a goal that not only sealed three vital points for Millwall but also announced Neghli’s arrival in English football with authority.
The strike was his first for the club since his move and came at a pivotal moment in the season.
The win lifted Millwall level on points with Middlesbrough in the league standings, with both teams now sitting just outside the play-off positions in joint-seventh place.
With only a handful of games remaining, the Lions are firmly in contention for a top-six finish and the possibility of promotion to the Premier League.
Manager Joe Edwards praised the impact of his returning players, particularly Neghli, whose energy and composure in front of goal proved to be the difference.
The match had remained tightly contested for over an hour, with both teams struggling to break the deadlock before the midfielder’s decisive intervention.
Neghli’s performance also signalled his readiness to play a more prominent role in the final weeks of the campaign.
The 22-year-old had shown flashes of quality before his injury, and his comeback goal will undoubtedly boost confidence in both the player and the coaching staff.
Having joined from De Graafschap in the Netherlands, Neghli arrived in London with a reputation for creativity and an eye for goal.
His return adds depth and attacking variety to a Millwall side aiming to recapture the form that saw them mount a strong challenge earlier in the season.
The mood among the Millwall supporters was buoyant after the final whistle, with many hopeful that this result could be the turning point in their push for promotion.
Neghli’s goal, described as “instinctive and clinical” by commentators, has given the club a timely lift as they prepare for their remaining fixtures.
With momentum building and key players returning from injury, Millwall will now look to carry this form into the critical stages of the Championship run-in, with Camiel Neghli poised to play a central role in their ambitions.
