Raphael Onyedika walked off the Etihad pitch with mixed emotions. His Club Brugge side had fought hard but ultimately fell to Manchester City’s second-half brilliance. Yet, amid the disappointment of a 3-1 defeat, there was a personal milestone that filled him with pride—his first-ever goal in the UEFA Champions League.

It was a moment to savor. As halftime approached, the Nigerian midfielder found himself in the right place at the right time, calmly finishing past the City defense to give Brugge a surprising lead. For a brief moment, it looked like the Belgian giants might pull off something special.

But Pep Guardiola’s side responded in typical fashion. A dominant second half saw goals from Mateo Kovacic, an own goal by Joel Ordonez, and a strike from Savinho, ensuring City’s victory. Brugge, despite their best efforts, couldn’t hold on.

Still, there was a silver lining. The Belgian side secured a spot in the Champions League playoffs, where they will face either Borussia Dortmund or Atalanta. Meanwhile, City will battle one of Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

Onyedika, reflecting on the night, shared his emotions with journalist Shina Oludare:

“I don’t know how to put it, but it’s an amazing feeling to score my first goal in City’s stadium. I’m so proud,” he said. “We knew it would be difficult after we got the first goal. We were a bit sloppy, and when we conceded, they gained more momentum and energy, making it harder for us.”

With the playoff draw set for Friday, January 31, Onyedika will now shift his focus to helping Brugge take the next step. His journey in Europe’s biggest competition continues, and with performances like this, the future looks bright.