Champion League
UEL: Chuba Akpom’s goal not enough as Aubamayeng’s hat-trick knocks Ajax out
By: Monsurah Olatunji
Chuba Akpom’s goal wasn’t enough to save Ajax’s Europa League campaign as Pierre Emerick Aubamayeng’s hat-trick earned the hosts Marseille a 4-3 victory on Thursday
Aubameyang took matters into his own hands with a hat-trick for Marseille, including the winner with a penalty three minutes into stoppage time.
The Gabonese striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot just nine minutes into the game but Brobbey scored almost immediately to give a thrilling start.
Mbemba restored the lead in the 26th minute and once again, Brobbey tied the match four minutes later following a serious defensive mistake.
With the game locked at 2-2, Aubameyang scored a wonderful acrobatic bicycle kick beating his marker Anton Gaaei to score his second of the three goals on the night.
Amid a wretched season, Ajax had Steven Berghuis sent off in the 63rd minute.
Nigerian goal machine Chuba Akpom who has started just two matches since joining from Middlesborough in the summer came off the bench in the 77th minute and scored two minutes later.
The Nigeria international became the first player to score five goals as a substitute in one month for an Eredivisie club since 2010/11.
Three minutes into added time, former Arsenal and Chelsea striker sent the home fans into a frenzy after he restored Marseille’s lead at Stade Velodrome from the spot once again.
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