Nigeria got into the conversation statistically as Aston Villa finally ended their 30-year wait for a major trophy after beating SC Freiburg 3-0 in the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League final in Istanbul, Soccernet.ng reports.
However, while Super Eagles-eligible goalkeeper Noah Atubolu was on the losing side with Freiburg, Nigeria still had something to cheer on the night.
At the Beşiktaş Stadium, Unai Emery’s side produced a calm and clinical display to secure Villa’s first European title since the famous 1982 European Cup triumph.
The game was tight during the opening stages before Villa exploded into life late in the first half. Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a stunning volley from a clever short-corner routine. Just before half-time, Emiliano Buendía curled home a beautiful strike from 18 yards to double the advantage.
Villa then sealed the final in the 57th minute when Morgan Rogers turned in Buendía’s dangerous low cross from close range.
The victory also strengthened the legacy of manager Unai Emery, who lifted a record-extending fifth Europa League title with a fourth different club. Villa’s success also completed a remarkable rise after their relegation from the Premier League only a decade ago.
However, despite Tielemans writing his name into Europa League final history, Belgium still remain behind Nigeria in one remarkable statistic.
Nigeria still lead Europa League final goals table
According to Opta, Nigerian players have scored five goals in the last ten Europa League finals, more than any other nationality. Belgium moved into second place with four goals after Tielemans struck against Freiburg, but the Super Eagles still hold top spot.
Nigeria’s record has been built by three different players.
Alex Iwobi scored Arsenal’s only goal during their 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in the 2019 final in Baku. Three years later, Joe Aribo calmly gave Rangers the lead against Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2022 final before the Scottish club eventually lost on penalties.
But it was Ademola Lookman who pushed Nigeria clear at the top with a historic hat-trick for Atalanta against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 final in Dublin.
Lookman’s stunning display ended Leverkusen’s 51-match unbeaten run and delivered Atalanta’s first European trophy. He became the first player ever to score a hat-trick in a single-leg Europa League final and also the first African player to score three goals in a major UEFA club final.
The Nigerian forward showed every part of his attacking quality that night. He scored from close range after smart movement inside the box, curled in a brilliant long-range effort after beating Granit Xhaka, and completed the treble with a powerful left-footed strike during a devastating counter-attack.
Belgium’s four-goal tally has come from Tielemans, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, but even with Villa’s triumph in Istanbul, they still could not catch Nigeria’s incredible Europa League final record.
