Hirving “Chucky” Lozano made his Champions League debut and did it in style with a stunning goal in a wild 3-2 win over BATE Borisov on Tuesday.
Lozano, the 23-year-old Mexican winger who tore Germany apart at this summer’s World Cup, is off to a flying start to the new campaign back in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven. Chucky scored in the season opener and made it two goals in two matches on Saturday.
PSV traveled to Belorussia on Tuesday for the first leg in the playoff round of the Champions League qualification. The winner over the two legs qualifies for the 32-team Champions League group stage, with the draw slated for the end of the month.
Eindhoven, the champion of the Dutch Eredivisie, was the favorite heading in but went behind after nine minutes. Gastón Pereiro equalized with a penalty in the 35th minute and moments later Lozano nearly found the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes. But 22-year-old BATE goalkeeper Denis Shcherbitski made an unbelievable stop on a late-charging header from the former Pachuca man.
Now that's how you stop Chucky Lozano
( U.S. only) pic.twitter.com/cOGGntqTFx— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 21, 2018
But Lozano wasn’t denied in the second half.
The first ever Chucky Lozano Champions League goal arrived in the 61st minute when he lashed a ball in from 20 yards out, leaving Shcherbitski no chance with perfect placement.
.@HirvingLozano70 with a
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) August 21, 2018
The goal gave PSV a 2-1 lead. Lozano was subbed out in the 87th minute and the match got crazy once he left the pitch.
Former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb equalized in the 88th minute. But Lozano’s replacement, Donyell Malen, ensured the 3-2 away win with a goal in the 89th minute.
88': @FCBATE ties it up
89': @psveindhoven takes the lead back, wins 3-2 pic.twitter.com/TZGuxeAvxw— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) August 21, 2018
The return leg is on Aug. 29 in Eindhoven. Based on the first leg, it looks as though we might see more of Chucky Lozano in the Champions League this season even if he doesn't transfer as many expected.
Chucky Lozano had a great #UCL debut in #BATPSV:
1 goal
5 shots
2 shots on target
3 chances created
41 touches
12/17 passes
3 crosses
2/3 dribbles
7/12 duels won
4 fouls wonThe former #CCL star and champion, already making his mark on #UCL!#Golazo #PSV #ElTri pic.twitter.com/3Ldu9W5gl0
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) August 21, 2018
The18 Recommends For You
