Chukwueze suffers Champions League heartbreak

The hopes nursed by Samuel Chukwueze that he could be the fourth Nigerian after the trio of Kanu Nwankwo, Finidi George and Mikel Obi to the lift the UEFA Champions League has been dashed this season.

Chukwueze was a second-half substitute for Villarreal on Tuesday night but he was unable to save the Yellow Submarines from a 3-2 defeat against Liverpool in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinals clash.

The defeat led to the elimination of the Spaniards 5-2 on aggregate.

Villarreal went two goals up in the first half with goals from Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin.

Liverpool however came into the second half in a different fashion as Jurgen Klopp was spot on with his substitution; pulling off Diogo Jota for Luiz Diaz.

Diaz’s entrant gave Liverpool the bite they lacked in the first half and it didn't take long before the revival began.

Just after the hour-mark, Fabinho pulled one back for Liverpool after combining well with Mohammed Salah.

Liverpool didn't have to wait too long for a second goal at it was the game-changer, Diaz that made it 2-2 on the night.

At 2-2, Unai Emery brought in Chukwueze to replace Gerard Moreno in the 70th minute but it was not effective as Villareal conceded yet another goal four minutes after.

Sadio Mane sealed victory with his 74th-minute goal as he officially became the highest scoring African in the knockout phase of the Champions League ahead of Didier Drogba

While Liverpool will be waiting to see who they will face in the final between Manchester City and Real Madrid, Villarreal will have to take their LaLiga campaign more serious if they are to return to compete with the big boys in Europe next season.