First Chinese Player to Score Historic Goal in European Competition

DBasia.news –  The Espanyol team managed to win 2-0 against CSKA Moscow hosts in the continuing match phase of the Europa League group, Thursday (3/10). The first goal of the match that took place at the VEB Arena was scored by Wu Lei. Now his name is written in history as a player from China who first scored in major tournaments between European clubs.

Wu Lei opened the scoring for Los Periquitos in the 64th minute after receiving Matias Vargas’s pass and gouging the ball past goalkeeper, Igor Akinfeev. Substitute player, Victor Campuzano, solidified Espanyol’s victory in injury time.

Overall, Wu Lei was indeed not the first goal scorer from the Bamboo Curtain country in Europe. The title previously belonged to Sun Jihai who posted his name on the scoreboard for Manchester City against The New Saints in August 2003, but he did it in the qualifying round. In the main round, Wu Lei was a pioneer in this matter.

 The 27-year-old versatile attacker joined Espanyol in the January transfer window from Shanghai SIPG. So far he has scored five goals in 30 appearances for Espanyol in all competitions.

The victory over CSKA has made the LaLiga representative perched in second place in Group H standings with four points, two adrift from the Ludogorets who were on top.