Osimhen begins reign as Africa's best with dazzling display for Napoli against Braga

 

Victor Osimhen was back among the goals as Napoli defeated Braga to secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages.

Napoli secured qualification for the Champions League knockout stages, thanks to a 2-0 win over Braga led by the irrepressible Victor Osimhen.

Braga started energetically, with an early attempt from Bruma missing the mark. However, Napoli quickly gained momentum, and a defensive lapse from Braga complicated their task within the first 10 minutes. 

Serdar Saatçı's attempt to handle Matteo Politano's low cross resulted in an unintended deflection off his heel, beating Matheus despite his efforts to stop it. Captain Ricardo Horta made a brief effort at redemption with a long-range shot, but Alex Meret's save initiated another series of Napoli attacks. 

Piotr Zieliński's near-post miss was swiftly forgotten as Natan's excellent combination with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia led to Victor Osimhen's goal, where he cleverly flicked the ball over a stumbling Matheus to secure Napoli's second.

Napoli dominated the second half, while limiting Braga to very few opportunities, eventually securing the all-important win to take them into the second round of this year's UEFA Champions League.