Super Eagles forward Umar Sadiq’s quest to play in the La Liga next season received a major boost on Monday
A dramatic late goal from Curro Sanchez saw Almeria claim a 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon on Monday night at the Estadio del Mediterraneo.
Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq, who has been a key player for his club this season in the Segunda, played from start to finish but was unable to add to his 16 goals in the La Liga Smartbank this season.
Sadiq was lively in the lively encounter as Almeria left it late to seal a crucial win in the race to win promotion to the La Liga next season.
The 25-year-old created three chances, made three key passes, and could have scored a goal or two but missed three big chances before Curro’s heroic late goal saved the day.
After dropping two points in the 2-2 draw against Real Valladolid the last time, Almeria needed to bounce back to winning ways against a struggling Gijon.
However, despite a lively and dominant start to the game, Sporting Gijon proved to be no pushovers as they held their hosts to a goalless affair at the break.
Both teams came close to breaking the deadlock on occasions but there was nothing to separate at halftime.
It was a similar story in the second half as Almeria continued to dominate and push for the elusive goal.
It finally arrived in the 76th minute when substitute, Curro, tucked home from a goalmouth scramble.
However, the goal was ruled off by the VAR which spotted Curro in an offside position in the build-up to the goal.
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Almeria would not be put off by the VAR as they continued to pile on the pressure in search of the possible winner.
And in stoppage time, their persistence was rewarded when that man, Curro, curled in a beautiful win to seal a dramatic and deserved to win to push Sadiq, who is being watched by some La Liga teams, and his club closer to their goal.
What this means for Umar and Almeria
Following the late win, Almeria now has their destiny in their own hands as they leapfrogged Valladolid to second on the Smart bank table.
Almeria has 70 points, just a point ahead of second-placed Valladolid with five games to go.
