Paul Onuachu’s flawless penalty record in the Turkish Super Lig finally came to an end on Friday night as Trabzonspor were held to a 1-1 draw away to Antalyaspor, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigerian striker scored for the second league game in a row but also missed a late spot kick that would have completed the comeback and strengthened Trabzonspor’s push in the title race.
Restored to the starting lineup after a goalscoring cameo against Kasimpasa, Onuachu once again led the line for the visitors.
However, it was Antalyaspor who struck first, capitalising on a defensive lapse shortly before the break.
In the 43rd minute, Dutch midfielder Sander van de Streek finished clinically to give the hosts the lead, sending Trabzonspor into half-time under pressure.
The response came swiftly after the restart. Just eight minutes into the second half, Onuachu forced his way into the box and was brought down while contesting a header, earning Trabzonspor a penalty.
The 6ft 7in striker confidently stepped up and converted the spot kick, sending the ball down the middle to equalise despite the goalkeeper getting a touch.
With momentum on their side, Trabzonspor pushed for a winner and were presented with a golden chance in the 79th minute when a handball led to a second penalty.
Once again, Onuachu took responsibility.
This time, goalkeeper Julian stood firm. The Antalyaspor goalkeeper kept his ground and blocked the effort with his legs, denying Trabzonspor all three points and bringing an end to Onuachu’s perfect Super Lig penalty record of five successful spot kicks without a miss, according to OptaCan.
Antalyaspor held on under sustained late pressure to secure a valuable point at home.
The result proved costly for Trabzonspor. A win would have lifted them into second place and closed the gap on leaders Galatasaray, but they remain third on 42 points, four adrift at the summit.
For Onuachu, the frustration of the miss was eased by another personal milestone. His equaliser took his league tally to 13 goals, moving him joint-top of the Super Lig scoring chart alongside Basaksehir’s Eldor Shomurodov.
That return is even more impressive given the striker’s disrupted season. Onuachu recently returned from a four-week spell at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored once as Nigeria claimed a bronze medal, an absence that stalled his club momentum but has not dulled his cutting edge.
Trabzonspor now shift focus to the Turkish Cup, where they host Fethiyespor on Tuesday, while Antalyaspor travel to face Igdir FK.
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