By Nigerian midfielder Christantus Uche marked his La Liga debut with a goal, helping Getafe secure a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish league opener on Thursday, August 17, 2024. The 21-year-old’s remarkable journey from Spain’s fifth division to top-flight football culminated in a memorable performance at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium.
Uche, who joined Getafe after a rapid rise through the lower leagues, scored with a powerful header from a corner kick in the 64th minute. His goal cancelled out Oihan Sancet’s 27th-minute opener for Athletic Bilbao, the defending Copa del Rey champions.
“I’m feeling so good,” Uche said post-match. “To score a goal in my debut is amazing. I’m really happy.”
The Nigerian midfielder’s story is one of meteoric rise. Just two years ago, he was playing for fifth-division club Moralo before transferring to third-division side Ceuta for a reported fee of 800 euros (approximately $877) last year.
In another opening day fixture, Girona, last season’s surprise package, began their campaign with a 1-1 draw at Real Betis. Gabriel Misehouy equalized for Girona in the 72nd minute after Marc Bartra had given Betis an early lead.
Girona, who finished third last season and earned a historic Champions League spot, face a challenging season after losing several key players including Artem Dovbyk, Aleix Garcia, Savinho, Eric Garcia, and Yan Couto.
The 2024/25 La Liga season continues with defending champions Real Madrid, bolstered by the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, kicking off their campaign at Mallorca on Sunday. Barcelona will face Valencia on Saturday, while Atletico Madrid visits Villarreal on Monday.
This opening round of fixtures sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting La Liga season, with new talents like Uche making their mark and established teams aiming to maintain their positions at the top of Spanish football.
