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Espanyol’s Wu Lei celebrates his goal during a La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and RC Celta in Cornella, Spain. Photo: Xinhua
SportChina

Chinese star Wu Lei called ‘light of Chinese football’ as he ends 666-day goal drought in La Liga

  • Football fans flood social media, hailing star striker Wu Lei as the ‘light of Chinese football’
  • Wu will be keen to score in back-to-back games when Espanyol visit Atletico Madrid next Sunday
Spanish La Liga
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Espanyol striker Wu Lei bagged a last-gasp goal on Sunday, ending his 666-day goal drought in La Liga, to drive his team to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Celta Vigo.

Wu’s first goal of the season in the 89th minute gave Espanyol a much-needed boost as they revive hopes of a top half finish. But for Wu himself it confirms a controversial decision to opt out of the last two Fifa World Cup qualifiers to focus on Espanol.

“I’m happy that my goal helped the team to win and I’m thankful for the encouragement I’ve received from everyone all along,” said Wu, who was deservedly awarded Player of the Match.

“In good times and bad, the fans have always supported me. I hope I can give the team more help in the future, and I hope everyone can keep supporting us,” he added.

Espanyol’s Wu Lei (right) celebrates victory with Sergi Darder after a La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and RC Celta in Cornella. Photo: Xinhua

Soon after the game Wu took to China’s Twitter-like platform Weibo to dedicate the goal to his sick daughter.

“I hope Dad’s goal can make you recover soon,” he said.

Wu will now be looking to score in back-to-back games when Espanyol visit Atletico Madrid next Sunday, as they hope to finish the campaign with a bang.

Meanwhile Real Madrid took another step towards the LaLiga title with a routine 2-0 win at home to Getafe in a game that never looked in danger after Casemiro headed home Vinicius Jr’s cross in the 38th minute.

Lucas Vazquez scored a second in the 66th minute after good work from Rodrygo down the right-wing and after that the biggest story was Gareth Bale making his first appearance in the Santiago Bernabeu for almost two years, to the evident displeasure of the fans in the stadium.

On Sunday, FC Barcelona conceded three penalties, but still won 3-2 away to Levante.

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