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By Ebube Dike

Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze was an unused substitute on Thursday as his club Villarreal recorded a hard-fought victory against Italian giants, Atalanta in the matchday 6 of the UEFA Champions League Group stage

The Yellow Submarines defeated their host 3-2 in a five-goal thriller on Thursday to book their place in the Last 16 of the continental league.

Chukwueze who play pivotal role in the club winning their first ever continental trophy, the Europa League Cup in May this year after defeating Manchester United, was on the bench all through the match.

The coach, Unai Emry did not provide update on why the 22-year old was benched in the match.

Villarreal secured their place in the Champions League last 16 as Group F runners-up with victory over Atalanta in their rearranged match in Bergamo.

Arnaut Danjuma gave the visitors a third-minute lead in a match postponed on Wednesday by heavy snow.

Etienne Capoue added a second before half-time and Danjuma made it 3-0 six minutes after the restart.

Ruslan Malinovskyi and Duvan Zapata responded for Atalanta, who were unable to earn the victory they required.

As runners-up Villarreal will be one of the eight unseeded sides in Monday’s draw, while Atalanta will enter the Europa League knockout round play-off draw.

Both European draws take place on Monday 13 December in Nyon, Switzerland.