Super Eagles attacker Ademola Lookman has equalled the goal record set by Uruguay striker Luis Suárez at Atletico Madrid after scoring his fourth goal since joining the club last month in their 4–2 win over Espanyol on Saturday.
Following his goal against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, Lookman kept his place in the starting lineup as Atletico Madrid welcomed Espanyol to the Estadio Metropolitano.
Atleti entered the match as heavy favourites, given their superior quality and the visitors’ wretched winless run since the turn of the year. However, Diego Simeone’s men were made to work hard for the points.
Atletico fell behind just six minutes into the tie when Jofre gave Espanyol a shock lead. Atleti hit back through Alexander Sørloth 15 minutes later to ensure the first half ended level.
Four minutes after the restart, Álex Baena struck to put Atletico 2–1 ahead. Then, in the 58th minute, Lookman got on the scoresheet for his first in the LaLiga. He reacted quickest to a flick from Sørloth off a corner, guiding the ball into the net with a flying header.
In the 72nd minute, Sørloth rounded off his stellar performance by meeting a cross from Matteo Ruggeri and heading home Atletico’s fourth. Espanyol managed a late consolation goal, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the game from ending 4–2 in Atleti’s favour.
Lookman played 60 minutes and delivered a highly effective performance, scoring his fourth goal in just six games for the club in all competitions. He also has six assists.
According to OptaJose, no player aside from Luis Suárez has enjoyed such a prolific start to their career with Los Colchoneros.
‘Ademola Lookman has scored four goals in his first six matches with Atletico in all competitions, equalling the best goalscoring record of a Rojiblanco player in his first six games since the 2013/14 season: Luis Suárez in the 2020/21 campaign’.
Suárez joined the club from Barcelona in 2020 and went on to power them to a La Liga title.
Next up for Atletico Madrid is a vital UEFA Champions League knockout play-off against Club Brugge, and Lookman will be eager to help his side secure victory and build on his impressive start.
