Nigerian forward Christantus Uche got off to a flying start in the 2025/2026 La Liga season, scoring one goal and providing an assist to help Getafe secure a solid 2-0 away win over Celta Vigo.
The 22-year-old was the standout performer as the Spanish league resumed over the weekend, showing skill, speed, and composure as he led Getafe to a well-deserved victory on the road.
The game, played at the Abanca-Balaídos Stadium in Vigo, saw both teams struggle to break the deadlock in the first half. However, Getafe came out sharper in the second half and wasted no time in taking control of the game—thanks to Uche’s quick thinking.
Just two minutes after the restart, Uche broke free on the left wing and delivered a precise cross to teammate Adrian Liso, who slotted home the ball to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
Uche wasn’t done. In the 72nd minute, he found the back of the net himself, latching onto a through ball from Juan Iglesias before calmly finishing past the Celta Vigo goalkeeper. That goal sealed the victory and earned Getafe their first three points of the new campaign.
Christantus Uche, who joined Getafe in 2023, has gradually become a key part of the squad. Though he didn’t get many chances last season, the Nigerian youngster worked hard behind the scenes to earn his place. His performance on Saturday is already being hailed as one of the best individual showings from the opening weekend of La Liga.
Born in Lagos, Uche began his career with a local academy before moving to Europe at a young age. He has previously featured for youth teams in Portugal and Belgium before making the jump to Spain.
At just 22 years old, Uche is now looking to cement his place in the Getafe starting eleven and possibly earn a call-up to the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior national team.
With the win, Getafe now sit fourth in the La Liga table, behind Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid—all of whom also recorded opening-day wins. For a team that finished mid-table last season, this result is a major boost to their confidence.
Getafe’s head coach praised Uche after the match, calling him “a player full of promise and energy.”
“Christantus gave us exactly what we needed—creativity and urgency in attack. His assist and goal were both of very high quality,” the coach said in his post-match interview.
Uche’s performance has not gone unnoticed back home in Nigeria. Fans and pundits have taken to social media to celebrate the young forward, calling for him to be included in the national team ahead of the next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria is currently building a new generation of Super Eagles talent, and players like Uche, who are performing well in top European leagues, could play a key role in the country’s football future.
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, while speaking to a local radio station, praised Uche’s impact: “It’s always great to see Nigerian players doing well abroad. Uche showed maturity and confidence. If he continues like this, he deserves a chance in the national team.”
Getafe will now prepare for a more difficult test as they host Sevilla in their next match. Sevilla, another top side in the Spanish league, will be looking to bounce back after dropping points in their own season opener.
For Uche and his teammates, it’s a chance to show that their strong start was no fluke. The young Nigerian, in particular, will be hoping to build on his goal and assist to become one of the breakout stars of the La Liga season.
