Nigerian teenager, George Ilenikhena climbed off the bench to score for AS Monaco on Tuesday night when the team drew 3-3 with SL Benfica in the Uefa Champions League.
The 18-year-old started from the bench but made an impact after coming on in the second half to replace defender Christian Mawissa Elebi.
The game saw its first breakthrough in the 22nd minute when Kerem Akturkoglu finished off a setup from Vangelis Pavlidis. Monaco responded in the 32nd minute, as Takumi Minamino pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area and fired into the bottom right corner to level the score.
Early in the second half, Eliesse Ben Seghir put Monaco ahead with a well-taken finish inside the box. However, Benfica found their way back into the game in the 76th minute when Vangelis Pavlidis converted from the penalty spot, beating goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki with a composed finish.
Five minutes later, Ilenikhena found the back of the net with a mid-range strike that, despite being directed towards the centre of the goal, slipped past the goalkeeper. Just when it seemed Monaco might secure the win, Benfica struck again in the 84th minute. Orkun Kokcu met a precise cross from Alvaro Carreras, controlled it well, and delivered a clinical finish into the bottom right corner via the post, sealing the dramatic 3-3 draw.
Although AS Monaco crashed out of the Uefa Champions League, George Ilenikhena made a statement on the night. He is gradually making a case for a starting role in the French Ligue 1 team.
