The numbers behind Osimhen's silent night against 17-year-old Barca teen Cubarsi

Barcelona and Pau Cubarsi proved to be too strong for Nigeria's Victor Osimhen and SSC Napoli in the Champions League.

Victor Osimhen's Champions League campaign ended with a whimper as the Nigerian striker was nullified by the outstanding Pau Cubarsi in Barcelona's 3-1 second leg win over Napoli.

The 17-year-old Barca defender put in a performance far beyond his tender years, shackling the usually prolific Osimhen and helping his side overturn a 1-1 first leg deficit to advance 4-2 on aggregate on Tuesday night.

Osimhen silenced by calm Cubarsi

The statistics lay bare just how comprehensively debutant Cubarsi won his personal duel with the Serie A's leading scorer on an unusual night for the Napoli talisman.

Osimhen managed just one shot all game, had only 29 touches, and completed a meagre 68% of his passes as Cubarsi refused to allow him a sniff.

The young Spaniard made five clearances, one interception and three tackles while dominant in aerial and ground duels - winning three of three in the air and three of three on the deck.

Remarkably, for a centre-half so inexperienced at this level, Cubarsi also created one chance, played one key pass, and completed an impressive 90% of his passes from 80 touches.

In stark contrast, a frustrated Osimhen lost nine duels in total - more than any other player on the pitch. He won just one of six aerial battles and none of his four ground duels.

The usually lethal Nigerian also found himself caught offside on three occasions as Cubarsi's expert reading of the game and positional discipline denied him space to attack in behind, including a key moment that saw the referee wave aside Osimhen’s penalty appeal.

It was a humbling reality check for the 25-year-old who had poised to build on last season’s historic outing in the same competition with the Serie A champions.

But Cubarsi's colossal display means Osimhen exits Europe's elite club competition with just two goals to his name in six matches.

While disappointment will inevitably linger, the harsh lesson learned here could prove invaluable for Osimhen's future development.

To be so resolutely stifled by a defender less than half his age must sting. But it also highlights the calibre of opponent he will need to overcome to truly leave his mark on the biggest stage.

If nothing else, Osimhen can be grateful his old foe was not faced until his early twenties. For Cubarsi, after that blistering and colossal performance, it would be interesting to see how he builds on that under the guidance of Xavi Hernandez for the rest of the competition.

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