Nigerian striker Akor Adams made an immediate impact on his return from international duty, scoring twice to help Sevilla FC secure a 2-2 draw against Elche CF on Monday night and end a difficult run of results.
The Super Eagles forward came off the bench to inspire Sevilla after they had fallen two goals behind, bringing an end to the club’s four-match losing streak across all competitions.
Adams, who recently returned from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, delivered a decisive cameo performance that shifted the momentum of the match in Sevilla’s favour.
Elche began the encounter with confidence and took the lead within the opening 15 minutes.
Martim Neto threaded a precise pass through the Sevilla defence to find Aleix Febas on the edge of the penalty area.
Febas made no mistake, driving his shot past goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, who was slightly off his line, to put the hosts ahead.
The goal reflected Elche’s positive start, as the home side sought to build on their early dominance.
Despite their bright opening, Elche have struggled for consistency this season, managing only two wins in their last 13 league matches.
They, however, maintained control for much of the first half, limiting Sevilla’s attacking threat and protecting their advantage.
Shortly after the restart, Elche doubled their lead and appeared to be heading for a crucial victory.
Germán Valera found space inside the Sevilla penalty area and finished calmly to make it 2-0, placing the hosts firmly in command of the contest.
With Sevilla facing the prospect of another defeat, head coach Matías Almeyda made a key decision by introducing Akor Adams at the start of the second half.
The substitution proved to be a turning point in the match.
The 25-year-old striker brought energy and urgency to Sevilla’s attack, immediately troubling the Elche defence.
Adams pulled one goal back to reduce the deficit and reignite Sevilla’s hopes.
The strike was particularly significant as it ended Sevilla’s five-match goal drought in competitive fixtures.
His goal shifted the momentum, with Sevilla pushing forward in search of an equaliser as Elche began to retreat.
Sevilla continued to apply pressure as the game moved into its closing stages, with Adams leading the line and creating problems for the home side.
Their persistence was rewarded deep into stoppage time when the referee awarded a penalty following a handball in the Elche penalty area.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos pointed to the spot, handing Sevilla a crucial lifeline in the dying moments of the match.
Adams stepped up with composure and confidently converted the penalty, completing his brace and securing a 2-2 draw for the visitors.
The goal sparked celebrations among the Sevilla players and brought an end to a run of defeats that had weighed heavily on the club.
Fellow Nigerian international Chidera Ejuke, who also returned from AFCON duty, was introduced in the 65th minute.
Ejuke contributed to Sevilla’s improved performance by helping to stabilise the team during the latter stages of the game.
The result marked Sevilla’s first positive outcome since December 17, shortly after both Adams and Ejuke departed to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Adams’ performance capped an impressive period for the striker, who played an important role for the Super Eagles during the tournament.
He featured in all seven of Nigeria’s matches at AFCON 2025, contributing two goals and two assists as the team finished in third place.
His return to club football with a match-saving display underlined his growing importance to Sevilla and highlighted the confidence gained from his international exploits.
The draw offers Sevilla a platform to rebuild momentum as they look to improve their form in the coming weeks.
For Adams, the night served as a reminder of his ability to influence games at the highest level, both for club and country.
