UCL: Karim Adeyemi the hero as Borussia Dortmund upstage Chelsea

Nigerian born-German International Karim Adeyemi shone for Borussia Dortmund with his amazing 70-yard run to finish a superb winning solo strike against Chelsea in Wednesday’s Champions League first-leg encounter.

Before now, Dortmund have failed to win a match against English opposition in European competition in their last 10 meetings which dated back to their 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur in March 2016.

However, it’s the first time they will be meeting Chelsea in European competition and the 21-year-old made it memorable for the Yellow and Black team at the Sigma Iduna Park.

Adeyemi joined Dortmund from RB Salzburg to replace Erling Haaland and this time, he acted in the role left by the Norwegian and ensured the victory with his Man-of-the-Match performance.

It was a boring first half statistically as both sides recorded no shot on target. However, the second half lived up to expectations as Chelsea who had a goal disallowed for handball by Thiago Silva, could not pull clear.

It took 63 minutes for the moment of this match to arrive, and when it did – it was unforgettable.

Adeyemi broke efficiently from his half into the Chelsea area to dribble past Chelsea’s new mega-money signing, Enzo Fernandez before rounding a helpless Kepa Arrizabalaga to finish in a vacated net.

His solo effort which came off the back of a Kai Havertz miss at the other end of the pitch was enough to secure a first-leg advantage for Dortmund and also won him the Man-of-the-Match award.

Born in Munich, Germany, to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother, Adeyemi opted to represent his country of birth.

The 21-year-old who recently paid a visit to Nigeria has a football club in his name Adeyemi FC where he gives back to the community and keeps his Nigerian root attached.

The German outfit will make a return with Graham Potter’s side, which will take place at Stamford Bridge on March 7.